John Ruiz lost his bid to become heavyweight champion of the world, losing his WBA championship fight to David Haye before 20,000 fans Saturday at M.E.N. Arena in Manchester, England.
Ruiz fought gallantly for nine rounds before his trainer, Miguel Diaz, decided to stop the fight.
Haye, 29, improved his record to 24-1, with 22 of his victories coming by way of knockout. The 38-year-old Ruiz fell to 44-9-1, with 30 knockouts.
Ruiz was seeking to regain the WBA title he first won when he defeated legendary champion Evander Holyfield in Las Vegas. Ruiz became the first Latino to hold the heavyweight championship belt.
Councillor-at-Large Calvin Brown said he watched a replay of the fight and felt that Ruiz displayed his grit and gutsiness after being knocked down twice in the first round.
“John Ruiz showed everyone what a true champion he is,” said Brown, a former amateur boxing champion. “He displayed toughness and determination against a younger opponent who was fighting in front of his fans. I congratulate John on a great career in boxing. He brought a lot of excitement and pride to his fans in Chelsea and across the world. I feel it’s time, though, for John to hang up his gloves.”
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