By Johnny Ortiz
James “Lights Out” Toney has vowed to kayo Johnny “The Quiet Man” Ruiz. I’m sure Johnny Ruiz will have something to say about his prediction. The current WBA Heavyweight Champion doesn’t fight pretty nor are his wins something that will go down in the annals of fistic lore, but the fact remains, as heavyweight champion, he successfully defends his crown with regularity. He is, and has always been a heavyweight, while James Toney, after winning the middleweight, super middleweight and the cruiserweight crown, now has his sights set on becoming the WBA Heavyweight Champion, hoping to become only the seventh fighter in boxing history to win four titles in four different weight classes.
This Saturday night on HBO, James Toney will oppose the defending champion John Ruiz in the Mecca of Boxing, the legendary Madison Square Garden. He will attempt to do what heavyweight contenders Andrew Golota, Fres Quendo, Hasim Rahman and Kirk Johnson failed to do, and that is to beat the first Hispanic World Heavyweight Champion. In a three-fight series beginning in the year 2000, and ending on December 15, 2001, Johnny Ruiz split the first two fights with the great Evander “The Real Deal” Holyfield, their last fight ended in a draw.
James, an old friend who, besides being on my radio show quite a few times over the years, has twice been my in-studio, two-hour radio show co-host. He is very adamant about dethroning the Quiet Man. He considers himself the best heavyweight on the planet, and is very confident he will prove his claim this Saturday night. James has complimented Ruiz as being the best heavyweight champion among the other three titleholders, mainly because Johnny stepped up to give him a shot at his crown. James is smart like a fox, by claiming Ruiz as the best; he helps to sell the fight.
Becoming heavyweight champion, James will complete a lifelong dream. Since he began his boxing career, he has always voiced an opinion that one day he would be the heavyweight champion of the world. He hopes to fulfill his prophecy when he steps into the ring as an 8-5 favorite to defeat John Ruiz.
John, who has also been on my boxing show on several occasions, is used to being the ‘dog’ in a few fights, it doesn’t seem to bother him, he invariably finds a way to win. He considers James Toney to be a blown up middleweight, and besides sincerely believing he will be in control of the fight, he thinks he will stop James.
James is James, he can talk nonstop trash, but unlike some fighters who talk just to hear themselves talk, James backs up what he says with his fists. There is nothing he says that he doesn’t believe he can do. He will not be lacking in confidence when he steps into the ring to face Johnny Ruiz.
Besides getting into a heated argument with Ruiz trainer Norman “Stoney” Stone, James had this to say at his last press conference: “This is about my destiny, and I’ve worked very hard at achieving it. Ruiz is in trouble…end of story!”
John Ruiz, unlike James, does not generally like to do a lot of talking about an opponent; in this case, he’s done more talking than I have ever heard him do. James Toney can bring that out in an opponent.
During our lengthy radio conversations, John came across as a real gentleman, full well knowing he chose a violent profession, he is a champion fighting and longing for respect every time out. Even though he keeps on winning, it has to hurt him whenever he reads and hears cruel things said about his boxing style and the manner in which he wins his fights. I have always defended any fighter...great or not so great; I know the courage it takes for a boxer to step into a ring, literally putting his life on the line. Being a writer myself, I know that writers have to write the way they see a fight, I am not disputing that, I just think that some of them should take the time to consider the fact that a fighter knowingly, is willing to die. So the next time the certain few feel a need to further belittle a fighter…I suggest they try walking a mile in his shoes.
John Ruiz is a two-time world heavyweight champion…like it or not, he made it happen.
Having known, and been a friend of James for many years, I can honestly say that he is not the bad, bad guy a lot of people make him out to be. He may not like me writing it, but if you are a good friend of James…he is a pussycat. He has a big heart, completely void of saying anything derogatory about anyone he isn’t fighting. Getting in great physical shape for a fight, James psyches himself into believing he is facing an enemy, putting himself into a battle like frame of mind. After the fight, he immediately returns to the gentle giant that he is.
I only wish everyone knew the James Toney I have known for so long. He first took a liking to me because he knew I had been a fighter, he has no respect for boxing writers who ask stupid questions, by asking them, he instinctively knows that person knows nothing about boxing, and he lets them know it. The boxing writers he does respect are the writers he knows are completely dedicated, and take boxing as seriously as he does.
When the question about his weight was brought up, he had this to say: “Heavyweight is my natural weight…whether you like it or not, I will be the baddest ass heavyweight champion, and there is no one that can stop me or I won’t fight! No One! I’m coming for you ‘Quiet Man,’ nothing will stand in my way on April 23rd…nothing!”
I think it will be an interesting fight, James loves to fight in close, Johnny Ruiz also likes to fight in close quarters. Ruiz is known to throw a few punches then grab and hold; James is very dangerous face to face. I look for James to be throwing a lot of uppercuts and body shots whenever John tries his technique of grabbing and holding. I’m sure Ruiz knows the strength of James Toney in close. He has to be very careful of fighting James’ fight and of the aforementioned well-timed uppercuts and blistering body shots. It would not surprise me to see Ruiz keep a safe distance and try to nail James from the outside. In fact, if Ruiz were my fighter, I would tell him to keep a jab in his face while sticking and moving in order to keep James from getting into any kind of rhythm. He also has to throw a lot of right hands.
After writing this, I read today that upon arriving in NY on Tuesday, John went straight to the Trinity Boxing Club where he staged a public workout, he had this to say when asked if he planned any surprises: “I’m just going to go out there to fight, I mean, the main thing is to keep my hands working. It’s James Toney, so I’ll stay outside and keep my hands working.” They both like to fight off the ropes, James with his back to the ropes, Johnny likes to lay on his opponent while his back is on the ropes in order to tire him out with his body weight.
Speaking of weight, the weigh-in was held Thursday afternoon at MSG. The first man on the scale was the challenger, James Toney, who strangely, weighed in wearing two T-shirts, blue jeans and no-shoes. He weighed in at a heavier weight than I expected…233 pounds. Johnny Ruiz came in at a weight that suits his frame…241 pounds. Personally, I would have liked to see James come in a little lighter. Weighing in with clothes, I’m anxious to see what he will weigh at fight time. There might be a surprise. I hope they checked his clothing. James may want Ruiz to think he is overweight.
“Lights Out” is a very cagey, intelligent fighter; the “Quiet Man” cannot afford to let James lure him into a trap on the ropes. I think you will see every trick in the book in this fight, it may not be pretty, but each fighter has to pull out all the stops in order to win this one. In order for Ruiz to win, he must do something that will be hard to do, and that is to outthink James.
James Toney has the experience; he is one of the smartest fighters in the game. He is a thinking fighter, someone who is reminiscent of the fighters of yesteryear, tough as nails, guys who didn’t believe in taking any prisoners. Johnny Ruiz is going to be in the fight of his life, beating a guy as determined as James Toney will not be an easy task, but for Johnny Ruiz…nothing has ever come easy.
Saturday night…“Lights Out” will be going after what he feels is rightfully his…“The Quiet Man” must defend it!
THE RETURN OF JULIO “DOWN BY THE SCHOOLYARD” GONZALEZ
It is only appropriate that Julio Gonzalez will fight an IBFelimination bout with former WBC Light Heavyweight Champion Montell Griffin on “Cinco de Mayo.” The winner has been guaranteed a title shot.
Julio is one of our boys, we at Ringside LA, backed Julio from the very beginning. As a regular guest on our show, Julio was the first of our guys to win a title. No one gave Julio much of a chance to dethrone the undefeated Light Heavyweight Champion, Darius Michalezewski. We did, and predicted it! Julio came on our show the night before the fight in Hamburg, Germany. He said to tell everyone that he was going to bring the title home. He kept his word. When he arrived home to a hero’s welcome, he kept his promise by coming in to the Commerce Casino to co-host my two-hour show before a live audience. The place was packed. Julio is one of the fine, young men in boxing. On May 5th, he will beat Montell Griffin, and then go on to reclaim his title. You can take it to the bank.
Julio, we, and your many fans love you…bring it on home!
Saturday night ESPN PPV recap:
Antonio Margarito
Anyone who thought Antonio Margarito might be a mediocre champion had better adjust his thinking cap. Antonio not only proved he belongs on top of any welterweight division, he showed that it is going to take some doing for the other welterweight champs to beat him, or anyone else for that matter.
If ever there were an appropriate name for a fighter, “Maguina de Gulpes/The Punching Machine” fits Antonio Magarito to a ‘T’. He took apart a much feared, undefeated, powerful fighter in Kermit Cintron.
Antonio is a perfect example of what hard work, dedication, and conditioning can do for a fighter. It is going to take a highly exceptional fighter to ever beat this guy at the welterweight limit. Bring them on, Antonio Margarito has served notice…he is more than ready for anyone...and I mean anyone!
“Sugar” Shane Mosley
It was good to see “Sugar” Shane Mosley fighting again at his natural weight of 147 pounds. He looked a little rusty in the beginning, but by the middle rounds, he settled into a nice rhythm. Everyone seems anxious to put him in with Antonio Margarito right away, even offering a 1.1million dollar purse. Shane isn’t afraid of fighting anyone; he just returned to his old weight, it will take time to readjust to his new environment. Antonio Margarito is solidly at the top of his game, it showed Saturday night, when Shane gets comfortable at his old weight by having one or two more good fights, then we can talk of a super fight between Antonio and Shane.
Until then, there are other great welterweight fights out there. I read something today that Oscar De La Hoya is considering fighting Zab Judah in September, providing Zab gets past a tough Cosme Rivera on May 14th, which he should. The winner of an Oscar-Judah fight would then be paired with the winner of a fight between Antonio Margarito and Shane Mosley. I do not know the validity of this particular rumor, but if it comes to pass…the fans win big!
Calvin Brock
It has been a long time since I have been impressed with a new heavyweight.
I was highly impressed last Saturday night with the 29 year-old Calvin Brock. He certainly appears to have everything it takes to go all the way. He has a sleek, heavyweight body, reminiscent of a young Muhammad Ali. He moves exceptionally well, throws beautiful combinations, doesn’t waste punches, has decent power, takes a great shot, wonderful recuperative powers, as he displayed after getting off the deck against a much bigger man, Jameel McCline. Not only did he get up, but by the end of the round, he had McCline hurt and ready to go. That showed me that Calvin Brock has no-quit in him.
As a former trainer, I have often said that the first thing a good trainer looks for in a new boy is whether or not the kid has heart. A young boxer can have all the ability in the world, but it is for naught if he hasn’t got the ticker. I like everything about the good-looking former Olympian. I picked him to beat the favored McCline; I’m now picking him to make some big noise in the heavyweight division. He is a breath of fresh air, like Ali before him; he might be the shot in the arm the heavyweight division has been longing for. I was that impressed with him. Remember the name…Calvin Brock.
There is no shame in getting knocked down…the shame… is not getting up!
UNTIL THE NEXT ROUND…PEACE AND GOD BLESS!
