TONEY vs RUIZ: WHO WINS AND HOW?
 

We polled Bragging Rights Corner's Inner Circle of writers as well as many of our loyal readers and friends in the boxing world, and judging from their response... well, why not read for yourselves...

BRAGGING RIGHTS CORNER'S INNER CIRCLE SPEAKS OUT...

• Impossible to pick the likely winner. Easy guess were Toney injury free but with back to back leg and arm ligament surgeries, the only way to go is play a fite version of pin the tail on the donkey ... and whichever one is targeted, go with it.
  Toney by far the better technician ... cool, calm and energy efficient. Did I leave out tough? But age 36 with no less than 74 prior ring appointments kept, a very fragile pick.
  Ruiz nothing special ... speaks volumes about the quality of the today system of multi-titles up for grabs. If it plays out to a mauling, brawling. hair-pulling, scratching affair the guess is Ruiz holds up the better.
  Heart is with Toney ... alleged brain says Ruiz. Likely by TKO when the Toney body parts come apart while ahead on points. - George Elsasser
   

• I think for James Toney, this fight could serve as vindication in a sense. He will never be able to take away what happened to him against Roy Jones but he would be able to get a sense of equally accomplishing what Roy did by winning a Heavyweight title. He can get a sense of vindication if he beats Ruiz, and I think he will do just that..  - Jeff Mayweather
   

• Toney’s skills have not eroded to the point where he could not take Ruiz in a “fair” fight.   Ruiz is probably the most boring heavyweight to come along in some time, and his fights are never enjoyable to watch, as he clutches, grabs, and holds more than Michael Jackson with little kids at the Neverland Ranch.  (His trial is a farce, that’s all I have to say from a legal standpoint.)  That being said, my take on this fight is similar to Aladdin’s, in that while Toney is carrying extra weight, he should be able to find Ruiz an easy target for his jab and combinations.  Ruiz has never been speedy in the ring, either with his holding, or his punches, and Toney should see them coming a mile away.   The only thing Ruiz has going for him is Don King, and that will keep him in the fight, as will his chin.   Ruiz can take a punch, and the question is, can Toney deliver enough of them to Ruiz’s face in order to impress the judges.   I do see Toney finding Ruiz’ face an easy target, and look for Ruiz to be a bit punchy in the mid rounds.
  We’re looking at a boring fight, but give it to Toney in a decision. I’ve never wanted to be more wrong about a fight, and I pray for a first round knockout by Toney, but wouldn’t bet the farm on it.  - David L. Ross, Esq. 
   

• Regardless of what anyone says, both Ruiz and Toney are proven tough guys.   While Ruiz is a nice guy, everyone hates him because of his style.  I admit I fell asleep at the Garden  during his fight with Fres Oquendo, but the guy knows how to use what he has.  James Toney was one of the best fighters pound for pound up until the time when he gained close to 20 pounds in one day and lost to Roy Jones.  Despite the style, or lack of from Ruiz and trash talking from Toney there is one thing both of these guys are in the ring...smart.  Despite what he says, Toney will feel Ruiz out early which will make most of the early rounds close.  As the fight wears on it MAY get interesting because either of them may get dirty and the other will answer back. As long as Toney is in shape and motivated, which he should be, I look for him to use his intelligence and clever counter punching style to bang out a close decision.  The reason I say close is because there is a good possibility that many rounds will be difficult to score.  It is crazy, but to me Toney adds some excitement to the heavyweight division, and if he does win I'd be interested in seeing him fight the best the division has to offer. James Toney by majority Decision - Danny Serratelli
   

• I like Toney by decision, in a ugly fight. I think Ruiz's trademark jab and grab will only get him so far against a crafty veteran like Toney. If Toney's weight is not an issue, and he can hang physically, then he should be fine. Toney by decision. - Tom Dickey
   

• I'd be surprised if Toney can win this. He has the power and the skill, but if Ruiz can keep it even slightly close, Ruiz gets the W by decision. - Jocelyn Saurini
   

• If James Toney comes into the ring in good shape, I look for him to have a relatively easy fight. Toney will allow Ruiz to get inside and then James will take him apart with fast and accurate combinations. Ruiz is not fast. He is not per say a murderous puncher. He is more of a clubber. I'll say this for John, he is a rugged individual. This man comes to fight. His style may not be pretty but he has been successful. If Toney gets lazy on the ropes he could be punished by Ruiz.
   I just hope for his sake that James is not taking Ruiz lightly. That could be a big mistake.   All things considered I have to go with James by a comfortable decision or even a later round KO.  - Jim Amato
   
• See Toney doing some damage, but rounds will go to the score cards and it reads Ruiz.  - Audrey Chang, (photographer)
   

• Like any John Ruiz fight this has the making of a real snoozer. James Toney is now fighting a legitimate Heavyweight in Ruiz despite what the critics say. The champ often wins ugly but the bottom line is that his hand is raised in victory after the final bell rings. Ruiz by unanimous decision. - Ed Ludwig
   

• I know I said the outcome doesn’t really matter but I’ll take a crack at it anyway. What I predict is a controversial decision no matter who wins. I have seen Ruiz pull out some questionable victories and I don’t think this time will be any different. - Oleg Bershadsky
   

• James Toney is going to win. He’s a much better fighter and he’s a bad dude too. [Ruiz] likes to stand there and exchange and Toney is real crafty when somebody wants to stand in front of him. He also has the hand speed advantage as well. - Chris Robinson
   

• Toney is going to kick some John Ruiz a**!!! Toney's a great fighter and Johnny "Louise" Ruiz....? Well, he's not. - Blaine Hislop
   

• I see James Toney winning a 12 round decision over the QuietMan. - Jose Hernandez, (photographer)
   
• Toney out boxes Ruiz for the UD - Kenny Perrault
   
• I think Ruiz is an extremely durable workmanlike albeit unexciting fighter that will be able to withstand all that Toney has to offer. However, if Toney can sustain an aggressive attack throughout the fight he will win by a close decision, if not Ruiz by close decision. I think Toney is hungry enough to want it more and will win in a grinding type of fight.   But what do I know? I see fights through a small view finder. - Bob Kolb, photographer
   

• If Toney can avoid the Ruiz jab and his continued clutching and grabbing, then he will defeat Ruiz with ease. He wont knock him out, but will win a pretty easy unanimous decision. - David Kolb
   

• James Toney should beat John Ruiz because he is better fighter all around. Again, Toney by decision.- Oscar Borrás, 20 de Mayo
   

• Ruiz's trainer/manager Norman 'Stoney' Stoney is the man to watch on Saturday night. Stoney's ghetto fabulous antics could well cost Ruiz the fight with zero input from James Toney. Should Stone remain in check, I am going to lean (no pun intended) towards Ruiz. His style isn't pretty, but it works for him. I predict a boring, boring decision win for John "The Quietman" Ruiz.  - Elisa Harrison