Two-time world heavyweight champion John Ruiz has revealed the hardest puncher that he ever crossed paths with, with Roy Jones Jr, David Haye and Evander Holyfield all overlooked.
Ruiz racked up 44 victories throughout the course of his storied 18-year professional boxing career, suffering just 9 defeats along the way.
He captured the WBA heavyweight title for the first time back in March 2001 when he defeated countryman Holyfield via unanimous decision, gaining revenge against ‘The Real Deal’ after he was beaten in their first encounter one year earlier.
Ruiz was dethroned of his crown when he was defeated by Jones Jr in March of 2003, although he began his second reign as WBA title holder one year later when he was elevated from interim champion.
He challenged for the heavyweight title in his 55th and final bout in April of 2010 but was ultimately stopped in the ninth round of his showdown with Haye.
Despite sharing the ring with the likes of Jones, Haye and Holyfield, who are all commended for having considerable punching power, Ruiz gave a surprising answer when asked to reveal the hardest puncher he ever faced.
Speaking to The Ring Magazine, Ruiz made no mistake in naming David Tua as the biggest puncher he ever crossed paths with, as he claims the Samoan hit him ‘like a mule’.
“David Tua, he hit like a mule. Sometimes things happen, and I admit he really got me.”
Tua stopped Ruiz in the opening round of their non-title bout at the Convention Hall in Atlantic City back in March of 1996. Tua is regarded as being one of the best heavyweights to have never won a version of the world heavyweight championship, although he did come close in 2000 when he was outpointed by former undisputed champion Lennox Lewis.
