Am I the only one who feels bad for Ruiz?

I don't remember anyone say they wish any ill will towards John Ruiz, the person. I do believe "Good Riddance" (or to that affect) was the most uttered phrase. you must have missed vbmartins prayer to god thread where he prayed that he get kod into retirement.

Misplaced sympathy by so many......... He is a millionaire ! He became one by cheating the public with his horrible fights, excellent connections, & his loudmouthed, scumbag trainer. I think it is a sad statement on many of you as fight fans that you'll discredit/credi a fighter for his personality before you would what he offers INSIDE the ring. You all watch too many soaps & reality shows, seriously. If John Ruiz wasn't a boxer, would you give a damn about him ? No. The only reason you give a damn about him is because he boxes....& you enjoy watching boxing. Now tell me, did ANY of this junk artist's fights bring you joy ? Impossible. So, why give him credit or praise ? The f*cker isn't gonna slide one cent of his millions your way.

I feel terrible that Ruiz had to go out like that. I thought he was fighting well, but somehow I got the impression that he was just training to fight Klitschko instead of focusing on Toney. Anyhow, I wish him the best in any future endeavors he may have.

i wish he wouldnt have retired so we could see him KO'd again...

Ruiz was obviously a good guy, and he doesn't deserve to take shit, but he can never be mainstream and popular with such boring fights.

Do you guys think that with a different trainer he can get a better style? Or does he just lack the talent? I read an article yesterday that said he was tired of the constant criticism. I couldn't help but to feel bad for him.

I don't want the kid to get violently ill, or anything like that. But, I want to see him eliminated from the sport he tarnished....& if that means taking a prolonged beating or another Tua-like KO loss, I'm all for it. When you start supporting an athlete for what he does outside of his sport more than for what he does inside, you have missed the whole boat as a sports fan. I, personally, don't give a shit what these athletes do with their money. As a fan, however, I don't like the fact that someone who continually cheated the public (Ruiz) made so much more money than other better, more entertaining fighters ever did. I think it's pathetic that John ruiz made more money than Julian Jackson, for instance. He certainly didn't deserve to.

Bottom line is that he was a boxer. I personally respect anyone who gets in the ring and takes that risk. He fought some good guys..and did what he had to do to win. I really didnt ever enjoy his fights, but Hopkins isnt that exciting to watch either. People do what they have to do to win. Period. If grappling was his way to win then so be it. If he had retired via the hands of Holyfield I wouldnt mind. But TOney is one of the most classless people I have ever seen. I dont know him personally, but his public images is that. Tyson, through all his faults always respected his oppenents even after knocking them out in 90 seconds. Prefight tyson would talk a lot of crap, but when it was all said and done, after the fight he would show much respect to everyone. He understood that you have to respect anyone who steps in the ring. Toney doesnt, and I hope and pray that children dont watch his antics and try to emulate him. Emulate his boxing skill, but not his personality.

I feel sorry for the way people basically shit on him. I won't miss seeing him in the ring but I'm glad he will get out with some good money and his health intact. How anyone could wish any ill will towards someone who I see as a sincere gentleman (not a phoney "ODLH nice" kind of guy) is beyond me. very well said. some people have much in life to learn.

I feel sorry for the way people basically shit on him. I won't miss seeing him in the ring but I'm glad he will get out with some good money and his health intact. How anyone could wish any ill will towards someone who I see as a sincere gentleman (not a phoney "ODLH nice" kind of guy) is beyond me.

hmmm i'm trying to answer the origional question and it is difficult for me to answer. logic tells me not to feel bad for someone who has made his millions. but as far as the way people slam him for his wrestling/fighting style, i can see how he needs a little pat on the back to let him know its ok. am i glad he is gone? yeah. it was time for him to go. he has seen his better days and they ain't commin back.

Wow.... You really should change your handle from "The Pretender", to "The Insider".....because you really figured me out fast ! Props to you ! Now, if only you'd develop some new mildly funny comedy material......

No props to Ruiz. If you like the sport, you'd ridicule him.....because he ridiculed the sport. McKay..... I said nothing to you that should have offended you. But, when you support a piece of shit fighter (like you have Ruiz) I guess you have issues.

anybody who gets knocked out as brutally as ruiz was by tua, and have the balls to enter a ring again and risk his life is ok with me! you can't argue the guy has balls, and you cant say he ducked anybody, he was boring as hell but he accomplished more than most ever will I agree, that is what I have been saying.

Are you illegal yet ? Because I really don't like you. Has me thinking....Abortions are legal.....& I like them when they are used to prevent societal scourges like yourself. Portraite De JabsRstiff http://mangascans.free.fr/Download/Pics/Work/macho%20man.jpg

Riiight. Because getting in the ring with Holyfields and Rahman is the "safe route" to riches! :confused: Illegal fighting? If it was illegal he would have been DQ'd but he wasn't. Just because you don't like something doesn't make it illegal. Are you illegal yet ? Because I really don't like you. Has me thinking....Abortions are legal.....& I like them when they are used to prevent societal scourges like yourself.

hhhmmm, i see a guy that: - could only beat don king guys(fres, golota, rahman, oldlyfield) - never fought the top guys in the division (lewis, byrd, ike, VK or even wlad or sanders) - was beaten 6 times by 2 middlewieghts, an ancient holyfield, 2 bums and tua - NEVER desreved his title shot in the first place.. look back at his record and tell me how he earned a title shot after getting killed by tua - dressed like a pimp and promised to bitch slap RJ at a press conference Ruiz success was a product of Don King, pure and simple... the only decent fighter he ever beat was rahman, who's been living off his one punch against lewis his whole career(thats another story)... Bingo. How true.

Here is a guy that was NEVER mean or had anything horrible to say about any other boxer, writer, or fan...he did everything he could with what limited abilities he had...and was still able to become champ twice and beat many top fighters some who fans and writer still praise as being the answer to the HW division (Holyfield, Oquendo, Golata, Rahman, Kirk Johnson etc)... The guy was exactly one half of what the HW division needs...a fighter willing to fight anybody...a guy with a lot of heart and determination to win despite limitations...some fighters get hit, realize they have nothing else to win, and just quit...John keeps goings... Every has said their piece about John and basically ran him out of his own profession...No one will truly understand until they are actually out there in whatever profession they chose and everyone in the office is saying all sorts of things behind their back everyday of their career where they can see, hear, and read... No he was never pleasent to watch, but in a division that needs determined guys who work hard every fight...John Ruiz was that... a good HW = talent + determination/heart (will, courage, etc) Ruiz = determination/heart I expect to see many replies similar to the ones that helped drive this man out of his profession that he loved...but I for one feel bad for the man and hope he does enjoy life and possibly come back... hhhmmm, i see a guy that: - could only beat don king guys(fres, golota, rahman, oldlyfield) - never fought the top guys in the division (lewis, byrd, ike, VK or even wlad or sanders) - was beaten 6 times by 2 middlewieghts, an ancient holyfield, 2 bums and tua - NEVER desreved his title shot in the first place.. look back at his record and tell me how he earned a title shot after getting killed by tua - dressed like a pimp and promised to bitch slap RJ at a press conference Ruiz success was a product of Don King, pure and simple... the only decent fighter he ever beat was rahman, who's been living off his one punch against lewis his whole career(thats another story)...

Yeh mate, you shouldn't feel too bad for him. He's done nicely with what he had to offer.

I have boxed.....& that's why I disrespect John Ruiz. He's not a boxer, he's a grappler. He fights illegally, & got away with it because of his connections. How can you support him ? Let me ask you......do you watch boxing to see men fight, or to see them make a living, safely. If you watch it for the latter, I suggest you take to following an insurance salesman around. Does it warm your heart to know John Ruiz is a millionaire, & made his money by taking the safe route ? I really, really don't understand you people. All I said is I respect him more because he tried to fight with integrity, but as a result he lost his heavyweight title, and that causes me to feel sorry him.