Columnist Dean Juipe: Johnson confident he’ll take care of Ruiz

Dean Juipe

Thursday, April 11, 2002 | 9:41 a.m.

Dean Juipe's column appears Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. His boxing notebook appears Thursday. Reach him at juipe@lasvegassun.com or (702) 259-4084.

Overdue for his mandatory shot at World Boxing Association heavyweight champ John Ruiz, Kirk Johnson said Wednesday that when the fight comes he'll win it.

"Ruiz is a very good champion and is underrated," Johnson said during a conference call announcing his signing with Duva Boxing. "He's a rough, tough, strong guy with a lot of heart.

"But I feel the tools I have are going to beat his tools. It's going to be warfare."

When that warfare will happen remains unresolved, although promoter Dino Duva pledged to get the fight signed ASAP. He will meet with fellow promoter Don King, who promotes Ruiz, and if they cannot hammer out a deal in the next few weeks the WBA will take the bout to purse bid.

Johnson received a $1.1 million signing bonus from Duva and has been guaranteed at least $1 million to fight Ruiz.

Johnson, 29, is 32-0-1 and has been the WBA's mandatory contender for more than a year.

"I have fast hands, great movement and great instincts in the ring," Johnson said of his credentials, which date to a 1992 berth on the Canadian Olympic team.

Local lightweight James Crayton, 32-15-2, has accepted a bout with Cesar Bazan, 38-5-1, for May 3 at the Orleans. ... The Hasim Rahman vs. Evander Holyfield fight appears to be on for June 1 in Atlantic City. ... Texas Station will host back-to-back cards April 26-27, with pro bouts the first night and amateur fights the next. Welterweight Dewey Welliver of London, England, tops the pro card against an opponent yet to be determined. The amateur show will pit representatives of Nevada Partners vs. the Finchley & District Boxing Club of London.com or 259-4084.