TalkingBoxing News
Ruiz fighting McCline to position himself for one last title run
TUE March 4 - Two-time World Boxing Association heavyweight champion John “The Quietman” Ruiz (42-7-1, 29 KOs), rated No. 3 by the WBA and No. 5 by the WBC, fights veteran Jameel “Big Time” McCline this Saturday night on the Oleg Maskaev-Samuel Peter card in Cancun, Mexico.
Ruiz, who broke Las Vegas-based training camp Sunday and flew to Cancun with his head trainer, Manny Siaca, Sr., has positioned himself for one last title run and a win Saturday against McCline will put him in line to challenge in the WBC and WBA.
“We’re (Ruiz and McCline) not old fighters but we seem to be the last from our group that’s talked about as title contenders,” Ruiz said. “I don’t know why anybody’s talking about the Klitschkos anymore, especially after that joke of a fight last week. Everybody seems to be looking for that up-and-coming heavyweight who is supposedly going to save the heavyweight division. None of these guys have proven anything, yet. McCline is a veteran of a lot of boxing wars like me.”
McCline (38-8-3, 23 KOs) is a 4-time world title challenger, currently rated No. 9 by the WBC and No. 13 by the WBO, who has defeated former world champion Shannon Briggs.
“McCline put on a great show against Peter even though he fell short,” Ruiz noted. “He still has it and I’m looking forward to fighting him. We’re both willing to go toe-to-toe. I’m glad to be fighting in front of a Latin crowd and I know it’s going to be a tough fight.”
In his last three fights, Ruiz has reverted back to the aggressive fighter he was when he first captured the world title in 2001, but two of those bouts were in Europe and the other off television, leaving American boxing fans still with the image of Ruiz clutching and grabbing.
“I’m tired of talking about the new John Ruiz,” the first and only Hispanic heavyweight champion of the world remarked. “I can’t change people’s minds without them seeing me fight. I need more action, less talking about it, and I intend to show them in the ring. I’ve blocked that talk out for this fight.
“It’s my last hurrah. The heavyweight division is wide open and it needs somebody to step-up and take charge. The statement I want to make Saturday night is I’m that heavyweight. That’s why I brought in Manny, trained very hard, and have gotten so mentally focused. I’ve talked less about it with reporters, but fans there in Mexico will see the new John Ruiz for themselves.”
Ruiz, who has fought in 11 world championship fights (including one interim and one eliminator), has beaten three world heavyweight champions -- Evander Holyfield, Hasim Rahman and Tony Tucker – as well as top contenders Andrew Golota, Fres Oquendo and Kirk Johnson during his 15-year pro career.
Guzman Defends vs. Arthur, April 26th in Scotland
TUE March 4 - Sycuan Ringside Promotions announced today that World Boxing Organization (WBO) 130-Pound Champion Joán Guzman has signed a contract to defend his title against interim champion Alex Arthur on April 26, 2008. Promoted by Frank Warren of Sports Network, the fight will take place in Edinburgh , Scotland , at a venue to be determined.
“I am tired of hearing the British and Scottish say I am not going to show up for this fight,” Guzman said. “Arthur should be scared and running for cover. I am the best pound-for-pound fighter in my division, and I can’t wait to get there and show him what this proud Dominican has to offer.
”I am going to take Arthur’s head off as payment to the British for spreading rumors that I am scared of fighting him.”
In his last bout, Guzman successfully defended his WBO crown for the second time by scoring a 12-round unanimous decision over Humberto Soto on Nov. 17, 2007, at Bally’s in Atlantic City, N.J. Guzman used his outstanding speed to win 118-110 and 117-111 twice on the scorecards.
“Guzman is a man of conviction,” said Jose Nuñez, Guzman’s manager. “He trains hard and sacrifices in the months leading up to the fight. He has been frustrated by all the talking and speculation as to whether he will show up for this fight in the United Kingdom .
“Believe me when I say that there is not a fighter that Guzman fears. I know that Frank Warren and the British have to try to make their fighter look good for the British fans, but we plan to get there and take care of business. Arthur is standing in the way of big fights for my fighter, so Guzman has to eliminate Arthur quickly.
Sycuan Ringside Promotions, Guzman’s promoter, is pleased that their fighter will have a chance to go to the U.K. to battle Arthur.
“We are proud that Guzman is promoted by Sycuan Ringside Promotions,” said Scott Woodworth, Sycuan’s vice president of boxing. “He has signed the agreement and already is training for this important fight. He really wants to go to Scotland and show the British and the Scottish what he is made of. We at Sycuan know we will be raising Guzman’s hands in victory at the end of the fight.”
Frank Warren won the rights to this championship fight in a WBO purse bid. Sycuan Ringside Promotions remains Guzman’s promoter and continues to provide him with all the support necessary to defeat Arthur and move on to other great fights.
Mesi returns vs. Smith,
Olympian Estrada battles Whitaker
TUE March 4 - Classic Entertainment and Sports, Inc. president Jimmy Burchfield has formally announced unbeaten world heavyweight challenger “Baby” Joe Mesi’s returns to the ring on April 4 against Terry “Hurricane” Smith, headlining an ESPN2 Friday Night Fights pro boxing show in the 10-round main event, at Twin River Events Center in Lincoln, Rhode Island. Mesi will make his first defense of the WBC USNBC title belt he won last October with a first-round stoppage of Shannon Miller.
2004 U.S. Olympian and top heavyweight prospect, Jason “Big Six” Estrada, steps up in class to take on former world title challenger Lance “Mount” Whitaker in the 10-round co-feature.
“This is a major league show on ESPN2,” promoter Burchfield said. “These four heavyweights have a combined record of 109-9-2 with 76 knockouts. These are big men, real heavyweights, averaging 6’ 3” and 238-pounds. Joe is on a mission to fight for the world heavyweight title and Smith will be a solid test. Nobody has stopped him and he’s been in against a lot of top heavyweights like world heavyweight challengers Calvin Brock and Jameel McCline. Jason is going to make a lot of noise in 2008, starting with Whitaker, who fought (Luan) Krasniqi for the WBO belt, and knocked out world champion Oleg Maskaev. Mesi is going to be a force again in the heavyweight division very soon; Estrada’s a future world champion in the making.”
Buffalo sports icon Mesi (36-0, 29 KOs), former NABF heavyweight champion, currently rated No. 17 by the WBC, was the WBC No. 1 contender in 2004, before an injury and controversial suspension sidelined him for two years. Mesi’s 36 victims include Vassiliy Jirov, Monte Barrett, DaVarryl Williamson, and David Izon.
Unbeaten in his first 21 pro defeats, former NABO title challenger Smith (30-4-1, 18 KOs), fighting out of Little Rock (AR), defeated former world champion Kelvin Davis last May.
Estrada (11-1, 2 KOs), 27, completed his amateur career in the U.S. with a remarkable record of 261-14, going unbeaten in America four years after the 2000 Olympic Trials. The Providence-native became the first boxer to win both the U.S. Nationals and U.S.Challenge three years (2001-2003) in a row. In only his seventh pro fight, Jason went the full 10 rounds against veteran Robert Wiggin, winning a complete shutout (100-90 three times). Estrada won a unanimous 10-round decision versus former world title challenger Charles Shufford in his last fight on January 25.
In addition to his win against Maskaev, the 6’ 8” Whitaker (32-4-1, 27) has also beaten former world title-holder Al “Ice” Cole, previously unbeaten Robert Davis (22-0), and 2-time world title challenger Monte Barrett.
Tickets will go on sale March 15. Contact CES (401.724.2253/2254/www.cesboxing.com) or Twin River Events Center (877.82.RIVER/ www.twinriver.com) for more information.
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