John Ruiz was a staple of the heavyweight scene in the early 2000s as he took on some of the division’s biggest names as well as winning world titles.
Ruiz walked away from boxing in 2010 following a stoppage loss to David Haye, but he left with his head held high after registering some memorable moments inside the ring.
Ruiz captured the sport’s biggest prize for the first time in 2001 when he defeated Evander Holyfield in their second meeting.
Two years later, Ruiz would be part of an historic matchup as he lost to Roy Jones Jr who was moving up from 175lbs.
Despite the setback, Ruiz would still play his part in huge fights after the Jones Jr loss, but who was the hardest puncher he ever encountered?
“David Tua, he hit like a mule,” said Ruiz when reflecting on his one round loss to Tua in 1996 to The Ring.
“Sometimes things happen, and I admit he really got me.”
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