David Tua vs John Ruiz (Who is the greater/should go down as greater heavyweight)?

[Mr Objecitivity]

David Tua did beat John Ruiz in their only head to head bout and brutally too. However, David Tua never won a world heavyweight title whilst John Ruiz did.

So how would you rank them?

[club fighter]

I can't put the "greatness" tag on either.
Tua never won a title, Ruiz won a title beating (a way past his prime) Holyfield and gave it up shortly thereafter.

Tua's style was exciting when it worked but was one dimensional when it didn't. He did have one of the best left hooks in the business.

Ruiz just fought ugly, His only defense of his title was a DQ win over Kirk Johnson that was quoted as being "one of the ugliest bouts in heavyweight history" by the New York Times. That's how he did things.

Tua has a more likable style and Ruiz had a belt for a hot minute.
TuaMan gets my vote though.

[Larry the boss]

Ruiz lost to 2 former middleweights, Tua beat him head to head..Neither are great at all..

[joe strong]

I can't put the "greatness" tag on either.
Tua never won a title, Ruiz won a title beating (a way past his prime) Holyfield and gave it up shortly thereafter.

Tua's style was exciting when it worked but was one dimensional when it didn't. He did have one of the best left hooks in the business.

Ruiz just fought ugly, His only defense of his title was a DQ win over Kirk Johnson that was quoted as being "one of the ugliest bouts in heavyweight history" by the New York Times. That's how he did things.

Tua has a more likable style and Ruiz had a belt for a hot minute.
TuaMan gets my vote though.

Ruiz is a 2 time champion & he was in 12 world title fights going 6-4-1-1. He made 7 defenses against Holyfield, Johnson, Oquendo, Roy Jones, Valuev, Golota & Toney. He went 3-2-1-1. Ruiz would have to get the nod even though Tua beat him & knocked out 4 former world champions. He was in 12 title fights against Holyfield (x3), Valuev (x2), Haye, Toney, Roy Jones, Golota, Johnson, Oquendo & Rahman.

[club fighter]

Ruiz is a 2 time champion & he was in 12 world title fights going 6-4-1-1. He made 7 defenses against Holyfield, Johnson, Oquendo, Roy Jones, Valuev, Golota & Toney. He went 3-2-1-1. Ruiz would have to get the nod even though Tua beat him & knocked out 4 former world champions. He was in 12 title fights against Holyfield (x3), Valuev (x2), Haye, Toney, Roy Jones, Golota, Johnson, Oquendo & Rahman.

That's right, I forgot about him beating Rahman, Oquendo & Golota for his 2nd belt, and I don't deny he was a fierce competitor, just not inspiring to me and a lot of his fights were considered "ugly".

Still Tua get's my nod.

[boliodogs]

Tua is better obviously. He crushed Ruiz. Neither of them is great and it's a stretch to even call Ruiz good. Ruiz was a good mauler, wrestler and clincher but not much of a fighter.In these days of 4 champions per weight class being a champion of one of the alphabet groups doesn't mean that much. Does anyone believe Parker is the world's best heavyweight fighting today? Ruiz was never considered the world best heavyweight or even the 2nd or 3rd best heavyweight regardless of him having a piece of the title. That's why Roy Jones hand picked Ruiz to claim he beat a heavyweight champion.Lewis was the real heavyweight champ back then.

[joe strong]

That's right, I forgot about him beating Rahman, Oquendo & Golota for his 2nd belt, and I don't deny he was a fierce competitor, just not inspiring to me and a lot of his fights were considered "ugly".

Still Tua get's my nod.

Nobody was lining up to fight Tua back then. John Ruiz wasn't jumping at the chance to avenge his loss. Ruiz was horrible to watch but he was vert effective at what he did. He also had Norm Stone in his corner who was very good at getting the most out of Ruiz & he was a distraction to the ref. He knew how to work things to his fighter's advantage until Jay Nady tossed him in the Roy Jones fight. Ruiz also had the full backing of Don King. Where as we all know that is not always the case with King fighters. Tua was by far the more dangerous but he beat himself a lot by being out of shape (his only title shot against Lewis) & having many issues with his management team. His best win was over an undefeated Rahman in an IBF eliminator which got him his mandatory title shot with Lennox Lewis. The funny thing is that he hit Rahman after the bell & the fight was a bad stoppage which referee Tellus Assiminos admitted after the fight when he saw replay where Tua hit him late & the following round stopped it prematurely. Rahman was winning the fight handily on all cards at 89-82. He had some great wins & spectacular knock outs but he had 3 more chances to get a title shot & he blew it. He lost to Byrd in a final eliminator, had a draw with Rahman in a rematch eliminator which almost everyone thought Rahman was robbed. Rahman was given the title shot at Ruiz instead of Tua. Finally at the tail end of his career when Tua held the WBO Asian/Pacific & WBO Oriental titles he was the WBO #2 & had a decent ranking in all bodies. Vitali Klitschko was going to give him a title shot. Cedric Kushner pleaded with Tua to take it but Tua wanted to give Barrett a rematch after their controversial draw & he lost. Tua could never win the big fight when given the chance. Ruiz won 2 world titles & beat some good HWS.

[joe strong]

Tua is better obviously. He crushed Ruiz. Neither of them is great and it's a stretch to even call Ruiz good. Ruiz was a good mauler, wrestler and clincher but not much of a fighter.In these days of 4 champions per weight class being a champion of one of the alphabet groups doesn't mean that much. Does anyone believe Parker is the world's best heavyweight fighting today? Ruiz was never considered the world best heavyweight or even the 2nd or 3rd best heavyweight regardless of him having a piece of the title. That's why Roy Jones hand picked Ruiz to claim he beat a heavyweight champion.Lewis was the real heavyweight champ back then.

No question Ruiz was not the real champion but he did score some nice wins & made a lot of money thanks to Don King.

[paulf]

This is a good time to bring up that poster on here that wrote about being mesmerized by seeing John Ruiz out jogging. Someone have the quote? Shit always makes me chuckle.

[club fighter]

Nobody was lining up to fight Tua back then. John Ruiz wasn't jumping at the chance to avenge his loss. Ruiz was horrible to watch but he was vert effective at what he did. He also had Norm Stone in his corner who was very good at getting the most out of Ruiz & he was a distraction to the ref. He knew how to work things to his fighter's advantage until Jay Nady tossed him in the Roy Jones fight. Ruiz also had the full backing of Don King. Where as we all know that is not always the case with King fighters. Tua was by far the more dangerous but he beat himself a lot by being out of shape (his only title shot against Lewis) & having many issues with his management team. His best win was over an undefeated Rahman in an IBF eliminator which got him his mandatory title shot with Lennox Lewis. The funny thing is that he hit Rahman after the bell & the fight was a bad stoppage which referee Tellus Assiminos admitted after the fight when he saw replay where Tua hit him late & the following round stopped it prematurely. Rahman was winning the fight handily on all cards at 89-82. He had some great wins & spectacular knock outs but he had 3 more chances to get a title shot & he blew it. He lost to Byrd in a final eliminator, had a draw with Rahman in a rematch eliminator which almost everyone thought Rahman was robbed. Rahman was given the title shot at Ruiz instead of Tua. Finally at the tail end of his career when Tua held the WBO Asian/Pacific & WBO Oriental titles he was the WBO #2 & had a decent ranking in all bodies. Vitali Klitschko was going to give him a title shot. Cedric Kushner pleaded with Tua to take it but Tua wanted to give Barrett a rematch after their controversial draw & he lost. Tua could never win the big fight when given the chance. Ruiz won 2 world titles & beat some good HWS.

Hey I don't deny Ruiz was a tough competitor and beat some quality opponents, while TuaMan with his monster Hook and granite chin ended up being very one dimensional and slow at times.

Ruiz was a shrewd fighter that did it with hustle mostly instead of power or hand speed. Was not fun to watch and some of his decision wins were iffy to me. Can't deny his accomplishments but I never liked his bouts or fighting style.

That said, Tua still gets my vote and is still a more mentioned fighter from that period for a reason, his fights were exciting.

*I think the poll results reflect that.