John Ruiz met a few of the heaviest handed fighters within the industry, but one lesser-known name clearly stood out.
Ruiz had huge success within the heavyweight scene reigning as a WBA world champion from 2001 and 2005.
During his stellar profession where he became Latin America’s first heavyweight world king, Ruiz fought some incredible names.
His resume includes the likes of boxing icons Evander Holyfield, Roy Jones Jr, David Haye and Nikolai Valuev.
Nevertheless it was one dynamite puncher who stood out in David Tua, who flattened him after only one round.
The Recent Zealander went with an especially aggressive approach during their 1994 clash for the WBC international title.
And incredibly Tua rendered Ruiz unconscious with some crushing and relentless blows which sent him flat on his back motionless.
It’s thus no surprise that Ruiz said ‘The Terminator’ was the toughest puncher he faced eclipsing that of a few of the leading operators.
He told The Ring within the ‘Best I Faced’ segment: “David Tua, he hit like a mule.
“Sometimes things occur, and I admit he really got me.”
Tua was on an incredible winning run on the time, which was eventually halted by Ike Ibeabuchi the next yr.
He famously beat Hasim Rahman in 1998 but was subsequently outpointed by Lennox Lewis in 2000.
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But Tua had an especially long profession fighting until 2013 when he eventually retired on the back of a second consecutive loss.
Ruiz had some incredible memories in the game during his stint.
He was first controversially outpointed in an enormous fight with Holyfield in 2001.
But he famously captured a world title with a win over ‘The Real Deal’ on points nine months later.
It was an incredible achievement which saw him hold the title for only one win.
He was beaten by truly gifted fighter Jones Jr, who too beat him on points in 2003.
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Ruiz after 2004 when he lost the belt for a second time didn’t beat any of the leading names.
He suffered two defeats against 7ft 2ins Russian giant Valuev.
Then his final bow in the game got here against powerful British fighter Haye, when he was removed from his best.
And ‘Hayemaker’ delivered several thudding blows knocking him down 4 times within the fight.
Ultimately, ‘The Quiet Man’ was stopped within the ninth and it was a savage ending to an incredible journey.
Ruiz was capable of end his time within the skilled ranks as an actual fan-friendly staple who never shied away from the best level challenges.
