Gloves off as brawl erupts before Jones weigh-in
Jones, 34, is attempting to become the first former middleweight champion in over a hundred years to win a heavyweight title.
The feat was last achieved by Bob Fitzsimmons who knocked out “Gentleman” Jim Corbett in the 14th round of their bout in 1887.
But his assault on history was pushed from centre stage when a punching match erupted between Jones’ trainer Alton Merkerson and Ruiz cornerman Norman Stone over the fighters’ gloves.
After trading punches, Stone complained of pain in his side and was hospitalised.
“I didn’t know what was going on,” Ruiz said.
“I didn’t pay attention to Roy Jones’ weight. I’m ready for 12 rounds. I’m relaxed, ready to do my business.
“The gloves should be investigated. Anything can happen with the gloves.”
Stone was listed in stable condition. Doctor Flip Homansky said that Stone was experiencing light-headedness and sharp pains on his side when they decided to take him to the hospital for observation.
Nevada State Athletic Commission chairman Marc Ratner watched the brawl unfold but expects both combatants to be in their corners this evening.
“I don’t know why. All of sudden, they started arguing and then everything went flying off the stage,” Ratner said.
“I’ll speak to everybody at the rules meeting.
“ Fines could be in order.
“ Suspension? I don’t think so.”
At issue was who should have custody of the gloves before the title bout.
“Stone thinks that all the gloves should have gone to Don King,” Ratner said.
“Roy’s gloves went to Square Ring, his promotion company, and Ruiz’s gloves to Don King, his promoter. They looked the same to me at 10 ounces. Ruiz gloves might look a bit different because he has bigger hands.”
Ruiz, the WBA champion weighed in at 226 pounds (102.6 kg) in Las Vegas while Jones tipped the scales at a career-heaviest 193 pounds (87.6 kg), with the American giving up an edge of 33 pounds (15 kg) for tonight’s heavyweight title showdown.
Jones, who is getting 10 million dollars for the bout admits to feeling the weight of history on his shoulders.
“The fact that it hasn’t been done in over a hundred years ought to tell you it’s very hard to do,” Jones said.
“This is a totally different fish.
“ I’ve never caught this fish before.”
Jones, 47-1 with 38 knockouts, last fought on September 7, when he dominated outclassed Clinton Woods of England in a sixth-round technical knockout.
He has won 13 fights in a row since his only loss, a disqualification against Montell Griffin in March of 1997. Jones stopped Griffin three months later and has not been tested since.
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