Ruiz back in the mix
The WBA took a step toward finally clearing up a lot of confusion as it declared two-time WBA heavyweight champion John “The Quietman” Ruiz (43-8-1, 29 KOs), presently rated No. 3, as the mandatory challenger for the winner of this year’s Ruslan Chagaev-Nicolai Valuev WBA title fight.
The two were set to fight on July 5th, but Chagaev pulled out because of an injury. Valuev instead fought and defeated Ruiz by unanimous decision and was awarded the vacant WBA title. Rather than strip Chagaev of his title, the WBA named him "champion in recess". As a result Chagaev and Valuev must fight no later than June 26 to determine the undisputed champion. -- MARCUS HENRY


