Evander Holyfield vs. John Ruiz

Evander Holyfield vs. John Ruiz, billed as Justice, was a professional boxing match contested on August 12, 2000 for the vacant WBA heavyweight championship.

Justice
DateAugust 12, 2000
VenueParis Las Vegas, Paradise, Nevada, US
Title(s) on the linevacant WBA heavyweight title
Tale of the tape
Boxer United States Evander Holyfield United States John Ruiz
Nickname The Real Deal The Quietman
Hometown Atlanta, Georgia, US Chelsea, Massachusetts, US
Pre-fight record 36–4–1 (25 KO) 36–3 (27 KO)
Height 6 ft 2+1⁄2 in (189 cm) 6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight 221 lb (100 kg) 224 lb (102 kg)
Style Orthodox Orthodox
Recognition

WBA
No. 2 Ranked Heavyweight

2-division undisputed world champion		 WBA
No. 1 Ranked Heavyweight
Result
Holyfield wins via 12-round unanimous decision (116–112, 114–113, 114–113)

Background

After Lennox Lewis defeated Evander Holyfield at the second attempt to become the undisputed heavyweight champion, the WBA ordered Lewis to face its top contender John Ruiz, where as Lewis wanted to first defend his titles against WBC and IBF number two contender Michael Grant. The WBA and Lewis agreed that he would fight Grant first followed by Ruiz. Ruiz's promoter Don King challenged the decision in court and a clause was found in Lewis' contract that stated the winner of the Holyfield–Lewis fight would first defend his titles against the WBA's number one contender. Because of this, Lewis was stripped of his WBA title.[1] The WBA chose Holyfield to face Ruiz for the vacant WBA Heavyweight title.

The fight

Ruiz was aggressive throughout the fight landing many effective jabs, and except for late in the third round, he was never really in any serious trouble from Holyfield.

Judges Duane Ford and Dave Moretti scored the fight 114–113, while Judge Fernando Viso scored it 116–112 giving Evander Holyfield victory by unanimous decision to become the first boxer in history to be the World Heavyweight Champion four times.

Controversy

The decision was controversial as many observers and boxing reporters felt that the underdog Ruiz had done enough to win. In interviews after the fight Ruiz said "It was highway robbery without a gun,... I won the fight and he knows I won the fight...I had control of the fight. I am very surprised by the judges' decision. I don't know what fight they saw."[2] Showtime commentators described the decision as "absurd" and "ridiculous".

Aftermath

Due to this controversial decision, an immediate rematch was ordered to take place in early 2001

Undercard

Confirmed bouts:[3]

WinnerLoserWeight division/title belt(s) disputedResult
Colombia Beibis Mendoza Nicaragua Rosendo Álvarez vacant WBA World light flyweight title 7th round DQ.
Non-TV bouts
Puerto Rico Daniel Seda Colombia Oscar León vacant WBA Fedelatin featherweight title 8th round TKO.
United States Richie Melito United States Thomas Williams Heavyweight (10 rounds) 1st round KO.
United States Christy Martin United States Dianna Lewis Welterweight (10 rounds) Unanimous Decision.
Puerto Rico Carlos Quintana Mexico Miguel Avila Welterweight (10 rounds) 1st round TKO.
United States Jeffrey Hill United States Shakir Ashanti Super Welterweight (6 rounds) 4th round TKO.
Belarus Siarhei Liakhovich United States Tracy Wilson Heavyweight (4 rounds) 1st round KO.

Broadcasting
Country Broadcaster
 United StatesShowtime

References
  1. Hard-Hitting Federal Judge Strips Lewis of WBA Title, L.A. Times article, 2000-04–13, Retrieved on 2013-08-10
  2. "Evander Holyfield vs. John Ruiz (1st meeting) - BoxRec".
  3. "BoxRec - event".
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