11-04-2016, 12:30 PM
New Zealand 'bias' raised by Andy Ruiz's trainer for WBO title fight with Joseph Parker
Mexican heavyweight Andy Ruiz might have to take the judges out of the equation if he fights Joseph parker in New Zealand for the WBO title.
Andy Ruiz's respected trainer Abel Sanchez has raised the prospect of beating a "biased" system by taking on Joseph Parker for the WBO title in New Zealand.
The December 10 date in Auckland still has to be officially confirmed by Duco Events, though Ruiz's promoter Bob Arum believes the fight will happen in New Zealand.
Sanchez has been busy working towards that date and venue for the clash of the two young unbeaten heavyweights.
Getting decisions away from home is notoriously difficult in boxing and Sanchez noted that as he discussed Ruiz's training camp in California with specialist website Boxingscene.com.
"We understand we are going into a different country, sometimes it's a little biased, but if we do what we are supposed to do, that's not going to matter," Sanchez said.
But he added he had "no concerns" about a New Zealand venue as long as the fast-handed Ruiz performed at his best.
The WBO has confirmed neutral officials will be used.
"There's going to be one referee, there's going to be one ring, there's going to be just Joseph Parker across the other side, so it's up to Andy to do what he needs to do," Sanchez said.
Hometown judging was a major issue ahead of Parker's last fight against giant Russian Alexander Dimitrenko.
Dimitrenko questioned Parker's unanimous points decision victory against France's Carlos Takam in May, suggesting it was a home town decision and the fight would have had a different winner had it been in France.
Parker took the judges out of the equation with his three-round demolition of Dimitrenko, though there was a controversial finish when the Kiwi landed his final blow to Dimitrenko who had a knee on the canvas. Dimitrenko protested to no avail.
Sanchez is eagerly awaiting confirmation of the date details for the fight against Parker but was preparing as though the fight is in Auckland next month.
"I hope they work it out but if they don't that's okay. If they extend it, that gives me more time with Andy," he told Boxingscene.com.
If Duco Events decide they can't afford to hold the fight in Auckland they will hand the rights to Ruiz's promoter Bob Arum with the bout transferring to the United States, probably in January.
That's a massive incentive for Duco bosses Dean Lonergan and David Higgins to get this messy situation sorted.
If they can confirm Auckland, they will deny Ruiz, a notorious struggler in training where he battles weight issues, extra time to get in shape.
They will also force the busy Sanchez into the awkward situation of having to oversee Murat Gassiev's cruiserweight world title bid in Moscow the week before the Auckland fight.
That will leave Ruiz short-handed on his last-minute training and Sanchez facing a hectic travel schedule.
Sanchez, a hard task-master, made no secret of the demands he was putting on Ruiz to get into shape.
"Andy has got a lot of talent but for some reason has never been pushed.
He is understanding now what it takes to train for a world championship fight. You are going to have to be better than the rest if you intend to have dreams of winning," Sanchez told Boxingscene.com.
"Here he is working hard, he's not putting any pretence of being tired or being sore. He's giving me what I need. By fight time, if it's December 10 we'll have him down to 245-250lb (111 to 113 kg), somewhere there. Nice and cut.
"He's got talent, it's just a matter of making sure that he understands this is a 12 round fight not a six round fight."
Sanchez said he was putting Ruiz through a "grind" that was leaving the boxer "tired and sore" though his conditioning was improving.
"You're supposed to get tired, you're supposed to fatigue the muscles, you're supposed to get to the point where you are in a 12 round physical, brutal fight. So if we can do that and make him understand that's what it's going to take, then I think he's going to have a great time with Joseph Parker."
Sanchez is trying to keep a shot at history out of his fighter's head in the buildup to the fight with Ruiz trying to be the first Mexican to win a world heavyweight title.
"We'll think about that after it happens. I think right now what we need to do is concentrate and make sure he puts up a good showing, make sure that he makes himself proud, makes his people proud, makes his promoter proud.
"I think the way that he's working that's going to happen and if that's the case we are going to come back champions.
"But if we worry about the ramifications of after him winning and the things that come with it, we'll get distracted from the job at hand."
- Stuff
Mexican heavyweight Andy Ruiz might have to take the judges out of the equation if he fights Joseph parker in New Zealand for the WBO title.
Andy Ruiz's respected trainer Abel Sanchez has raised the prospect of beating a "biased" system by taking on Joseph Parker for the WBO title in New Zealand.
The December 10 date in Auckland still has to be officially confirmed by Duco Events, though Ruiz's promoter Bob Arum believes the fight will happen in New Zealand.
Sanchez has been busy working towards that date and venue for the clash of the two young unbeaten heavyweights.
Getting decisions away from home is notoriously difficult in boxing and Sanchez noted that as he discussed Ruiz's training camp in California with specialist website Boxingscene.com.
"We understand we are going into a different country, sometimes it's a little biased, but if we do what we are supposed to do, that's not going to matter," Sanchez said.
But he added he had "no concerns" about a New Zealand venue as long as the fast-handed Ruiz performed at his best.
The WBO has confirmed neutral officials will be used.
"There's going to be one referee, there's going to be one ring, there's going to be just Joseph Parker across the other side, so it's up to Andy to do what he needs to do," Sanchez said.
Hometown judging was a major issue ahead of Parker's last fight against giant Russian Alexander Dimitrenko.
Dimitrenko questioned Parker's unanimous points decision victory against France's Carlos Takam in May, suggesting it was a home town decision and the fight would have had a different winner had it been in France.
Parker took the judges out of the equation with his three-round demolition of Dimitrenko, though there was a controversial finish when the Kiwi landed his final blow to Dimitrenko who had a knee on the canvas. Dimitrenko protested to no avail.
Sanchez is eagerly awaiting confirmation of the date details for the fight against Parker but was preparing as though the fight is in Auckland next month.
"I hope they work it out but if they don't that's okay. If they extend it, that gives me more time with Andy," he told Boxingscene.com.
If Duco Events decide they can't afford to hold the fight in Auckland they will hand the rights to Ruiz's promoter Bob Arum with the bout transferring to the United States, probably in January.
That's a massive incentive for Duco bosses Dean Lonergan and David Higgins to get this messy situation sorted.
If they can confirm Auckland, they will deny Ruiz, a notorious struggler in training where he battles weight issues, extra time to get in shape.
They will also force the busy Sanchez into the awkward situation of having to oversee Murat Gassiev's cruiserweight world title bid in Moscow the week before the Auckland fight.
That will leave Ruiz short-handed on his last-minute training and Sanchez facing a hectic travel schedule.
Sanchez, a hard task-master, made no secret of the demands he was putting on Ruiz to get into shape.
"Andy has got a lot of talent but for some reason has never been pushed.
He is understanding now what it takes to train for a world championship fight. You are going to have to be better than the rest if you intend to have dreams of winning," Sanchez told Boxingscene.com.
"Here he is working hard, he's not putting any pretence of being tired or being sore. He's giving me what I need. By fight time, if it's December 10 we'll have him down to 245-250lb (111 to 113 kg), somewhere there. Nice and cut.
"He's got talent, it's just a matter of making sure that he understands this is a 12 round fight not a six round fight."
Sanchez said he was putting Ruiz through a "grind" that was leaving the boxer "tired and sore" though his conditioning was improving.
"You're supposed to get tired, you're supposed to fatigue the muscles, you're supposed to get to the point where you are in a 12 round physical, brutal fight. So if we can do that and make him understand that's what it's going to take, then I think he's going to have a great time with Joseph Parker."
Sanchez is trying to keep a shot at history out of his fighter's head in the buildup to the fight with Ruiz trying to be the first Mexican to win a world heavyweight title.
"We'll think about that after it happens. I think right now what we need to do is concentrate and make sure he puts up a good showing, make sure that he makes himself proud, makes his people proud, makes his promoter proud.
"I think the way that he's working that's going to happen and if that's the case we are going to come back champions.
"But if we worry about the ramifications of after him winning and the things that come with it, we'll get distracted from the job at hand."
- Stuff