Just wanted to open up the discussion on what I think is one of the most compelling fights to come along in quite some time. This is NOT comparable to Michael Spinks moving up to fight Larry Holmes. Jones is a natural middleweight who has been fighting at 175 and will probably come into this fight weighing about 40 pounds less than Ruiz. Granted, Ruiz isn't exactly a "great" fighter, but he's still a solid top-10 heavyweight and tough as nails.
This is a very difficult fight to even do a write-up or make a prediction on because there are SO many variable. I go back and forth on who I think will win this fight basically because I can't give a definative answer to a number of questions (most of them concerning Jones). Ruiz is pretty much the only constant.
1. How much speed will Jones lose (if any) coming in at around 190-194. This is probably Jones' greatest strength. Will it be affected? And if so, by how much?
2. Can Jones take a punch from a true heavyweight?
3. Jones has never been a big puncher. Will his power increase along with the gain in weight?
4. Jones has never really been in serious trouble in his career (hell, he's barely even been hit). How will he react if Ruiz catches him with a bomb and hurts him?
5. If Jones doesn't lose much speed, how on earth will Ruiz even catch him in the first place?
These are tough questions to answer. I'm of the belief that a smart, skillful boxer will beat a puncher more times than not, and Jones certaintly has the skill. But, the weight difference is so dramatic, maybe it won't matter. I see 2 COMPLETELY different scenarios happening in this fight.
#1 - Jones comes out and basically takes Ruiz to school. Complete "punch and get out" strategy. Jones stays outside and peppers Ruiz the entire fight and Ruiz completely whiffs trying to hit Jones. Never comes close to hitting him with a good shot. I can see him missing with a big overhand right, Jones ducking, and nailing him with about 5 or 6 shots before Ruiz's arm returns to it's socket. Ruiz takes a brutal beating and Jones either takes him out in the later rounds or wins a lopsided decision.
#2 - The weight and strength differences are way too much and it's an obvious mismatch from the very beginning. Ruiz tosses Jones around the ring like a rag doll. Jones hits him with a few shots that barely even phases Ruiz. Ruiz is on top of him the whole fight, pushing him up against the ropes and hammering him with huge shots. And when Ruiz connects, it will be nothing remotely similar to anything Roy has ever been hit with. A round or 2 of this and Ruiz pummels him into oblivion.
Man, just typing this write-up is getting me fired up. Can't wait for this fight. Anybody? Comments?
This is a very difficult fight to even do a write-up or make a prediction on because there are SO many variable. I go back and forth on who I think will win this fight basically because I can't give a definative answer to a number of questions (most of them concerning Jones). Ruiz is pretty much the only constant.
1. How much speed will Jones lose (if any) coming in at around 190-194. This is probably Jones' greatest strength. Will it be affected? And if so, by how much?
2. Can Jones take a punch from a true heavyweight?
3. Jones has never been a big puncher. Will his power increase along with the gain in weight?
4. Jones has never really been in serious trouble in his career (hell, he's barely even been hit). How will he react if Ruiz catches him with a bomb and hurts him?
5. If Jones doesn't lose much speed, how on earth will Ruiz even catch him in the first place?
These are tough questions to answer. I'm of the belief that a smart, skillful boxer will beat a puncher more times than not, and Jones certaintly has the skill. But, the weight difference is so dramatic, maybe it won't matter. I see 2 COMPLETELY different scenarios happening in this fight.
#1 - Jones comes out and basically takes Ruiz to school. Complete "punch and get out" strategy. Jones stays outside and peppers Ruiz the entire fight and Ruiz completely whiffs trying to hit Jones. Never comes close to hitting him with a good shot. I can see him missing with a big overhand right, Jones ducking, and nailing him with about 5 or 6 shots before Ruiz's arm returns to it's socket. Ruiz takes a brutal beating and Jones either takes him out in the later rounds or wins a lopsided decision.
#2 - The weight and strength differences are way too much and it's an obvious mismatch from the very beginning. Ruiz tosses Jones around the ring like a rag doll. Jones hits him with a few shots that barely even phases Ruiz. Ruiz is on top of him the whole fight, pushing him up against the ropes and hammering him with huge shots. And when Ruiz connects, it will be nothing remotely similar to anything Roy has ever been hit with. A round or 2 of this and Ruiz pummels him into oblivion.
Man, just typing this write-up is getting me fired up. Can't wait for this fight. Anybody? Comments?
.....i will weigh in on a side later on...i have to try and become a little more objective on this one before i start throwing money around.....g.l. 
