Jesus Ruiz: I'm Here To Get The Title, Not Just A Payday

By Jake Donovan

Jesus Ruiz is as much of a realist as he is a boxer. The super bantamweight fully understands while many are sour on his receiving a title shot versus Leo Santa Cruz, as the two collide for a super bantamweight belt tonight at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada. 

The bout airs live on Showtime, in the chief support to the heavyweight title clash between defending beltholder Bermane Stiverne and unbeaten challenger Deontay Wilder.

Given Santa Cruz’ talent, it’s natural for boxing fans to want to see the unbeaten fighter step up – WAY up – from his recent competition level and begin to fight the best.

As a boxing fan, Ruiz wants to see that of his peers. As a prizefighter, however, he’s thankful for Santa Cruz and his team making a concession for at least one more fight.

“I was very happy, very excited to hear the good news,” Ruiz (33-5-5, 22KOs) recalls when receiving the call for his first career title fight. “It was an opportunity we’ve been years for. We’ve been taking a look at the world champions at his weight class. 

“It just happened that the one guy we were looking at the most – Santa Cruz – is the one we get to fight for our first title.”

A win tonight will serve as one of the biggest upsets in recent memory, not to mention severely shake up the power structure in a loaded super bantamweight division. Few if any give Ruiz much of a chance, as the 25-year old isn’t exactly bursting with championship credentials. 

“It’s expected for people to think that way, and not give me a chance to win the title,” Ruiz understands, though believes his rise to the title level has properly prepared him for this moment. “I’ve fought a lot of tough fighters along the way. The best example is Luis Melendez (a divisional gatekeeper whom Ruiz outpointed in 2010).” 

The closest Ruiz and Santa Cruz (28-0-1, 16KOs) come to sharing a bond is their Mexican heritage. Their paths once crossed in Aug. ’13, with Santa Cruz beginning his super bantamweight title reign following a 3rd round knockout over Victor Terrazas. 

Ruiz appeared on the undercard, scoring an eight round decision over Enrique Quevedo, the first of four straight decision wins among his current six-fight unbeaten streak. The fight likely got lost in the shuffle given the night’s action – Santa Cruz winning the title and Jhonny Gonzalez shocking Abner Mares with a 1st round knockout in the 2013 Upset of the Year. 

It hardly matters to Ruiz, since Santa Cruz will be seeing a new and improved version tonight anyway.

“Obviously looking back at that fight almost two years, I feel like I’m a better fighter,” Ruiz believes. “I’m learning more each day. I’m not a fan of Santa Cruz. I’ve met him and crossed paths with him. We showed each other respect, but that’s it. There’s no friendship. 

“Even if there was, we have a job to do, and that’s to win the title. I’m not coming for a payday. I’m coming to win a world title.  People can expect that kind of effort from me.”