Ruiz v. Golota preview

The sweet science is experiencing a mini golden age inside the four corners of Somerville next week as one current champion returns and another former champion visits the city.
World Boxing Association Heavyweight champion John Ruiz, who grew up in Chelsea and fights out of the Somerville Boxing Club, will defend his title Saturday Nov. 13 at Madison Square Garden.

First, he will return to Somerville for a workout session open to the public on Monday Nov. 8 at World Gym in Assembly Square.

Ruiz is training for the fight in the mountains of the Pocono’s, with his longtime trainer, manager and friend Norman “Stoney” Stone at his side.

“Johnny is already in great shape and acting like a caged lion up here. He won’t even go out for his meals. We are completely prepared and focused on success,” said Stoney.

Across the ring from the Somerville-bred Ruiz will be the talented but troubled, fifth ranked Andrew “The Foul Pole” Golota, of Warsaw, Poland, nicknamed so because of his inclination for fighting dirty.

Golota was disqualified in his two best performances for repeatedly and inexplicably hitting former undisputed world champion Riddick Bowe below the belt, despite leading on the scorecards in each fight.

He also quit on his stool in fights against Mike Tyson and Michael Grant and once bit an opponent’s neck.

Ruiz’ brawling, clutch and grab style could frustrate the mentally frail Golota into reverting back to his illegal tactics and may turn the fight into a wild foul-fest, said Stoney who is preparing Ruiz for the worst against Golota.

“We’re training for Golota with different sparring partners who specialize in illegal tactics. I even hired two psychiatrists to try to explain to me why Golota does the things he does in the ring,” said Stone.

Ruiz (40-5-1, 28 KOs), is a two-time World Boxing Association champion.

“The Quiet Man” became the first Hispanic to capture the world heavyweight championship when he registered a 12 round unanimous decision victory over Evander Holyfield on Aug. 12, 2000. He made two successful defenses of the belt before losing it to Roy Jones Jr.

Jones then vacated the title to campaign at light heavyweight, leaving Ruiz to battle Hasim Rahman for the championship. Ruiz won a decision and scored an impressive 11th round TKO over Fres Oquendo in the lone defense of his second reign as champion.

In addition to a visit from a world champion, the city will host the U.S. Marines Boxing Team and former world junior welterweight champion “Irish” Mickey Ward at a special assembly Tuesday Nov. 9 at 9:30 a.m. inside the Somerville High School gymnasium.

The now retired Ward, former World Boxing Union junior welterweight champion, carved out a niche for himself in the annals of the beautiful sickness as the sport’s preeminent blood and guts warrior. He was involved in an unprecedented three consecutive Ring Magazine Fights of the Year in 2001, 2002 and 2003.

It was that kind of courage that compelled the Semper Fidelis Society, an organization comprised of former Marines, to present Ward with the inaugural Ted Williams Globe & Anchor Award.

The award, presented to a non-Marine for his commitment and dedication to excellence, was named in honor of the former Red Sox superstar because of the courage he displayed as a Marine fighter pilot.

Mickey Ward and the Marines hooked up again when the Marines named Ward the official goodwill ambassador for the U.S. Marines boxing team tour – the Great Northeast Tour that begins November 9 at the Roxy in Boston.

But first Ward and the fighting Marines will make a stop in a city regaining its affection for the pugilistic tradition.