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Injury Postpones Holyfield-Ruiz Title Fight in Beijing
Nine days away from the high-profile clash between Evander Holyfield and WBA champion John Ruiz, the organisers announced Friday night in Beijing that the world heavyweight title bout has been postponed, citing the worsening neck injury to Ruiz.
"I feel deep regret for the incident," said Niu Lixin, head of the Chinese promoting company. "To me, it amounts to an earthquake or a disaster."
"I feel very sad and very disappointed that the fight between Holyfield and Ruiz cannot take place as scheduled," said American co-promoter Don King.
Following careful examinations, a team of noted physicians including Qu Mianyu, China's top expert in sporting medicine, Dr. Bruce Beattie and Dr. Shirley Guse of Beijing International SOS Clinic, came to the same conclusion that Ruiz is not fit to take the fight which is scheduled in August 5.
"The patient has cervical spondylosis, nerve root type," said Qu, former director of the Institute of Sports Medicine at Peking University. "I also suspect spino myelitis. He cannot fight at this time."
No date has been re-set for the fight although both sides promised that the fight is sure to take place in China as soon as possible.
"No one is intending to disregard our commitment to the Chinese people," said King.
"I love the Chinese people and I wanted to see them be part of history," King said of the event, the first ever of its kind in China.
Niu also put a positive spin on the incident. "Considering the commitments made by Don King, and his love of the Chinese culture, I believe that the fight is sure to take place on the Chinese soil, " said Niu.
Ruiz's manager Norman Stone said Ruiz first complained of a stiff neck on Tuesday evening and by Wednesday morning Ruiz's condition had worsened.
By Friday morning, Ruiz was almost "paralyzed" and suffering " excruciating" pain, according to King.
Appearing stiff in neck and expressionless at the press conference, Ruiz said he had the greatest disappointment to the postponement of the fight.
"There are things you can't help in life and this is one of them," Ruiz said. "I definitely want to apologize to the people of China. No one is more disappointed than myself."
Ruiz, who will go back to the United States immediately for treatment, promised that he would return to China for "a great show".
"Both fighters need to be 100 percent to ensure a great fight, but I am right now at 50 percent, I couldn't put on the show I would love to put on," said Ruiz. "I definitely would come back... it gonna be a great show."
Holyfield, who has aimed to become the first fighter to claim the world heavyweight title on five separate occasions, said that he respected the decision of postponement and is willing to wait for Ruiz's recovery.
"Injuries are a part of boxing. John was gracious when I suffered an injury before our first fight was postponed," said Holyfield.
"Patience is one of the virtues....I am willing to wait for his recovery, but the result will be the same, I will be the five-time world heavyweight champion," he added.
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