Thursday, June 27, 2002 | 9:01 a.m.
Preoccupied with Evander Holyfield for the past 2 1/2 years, World Boxing Association heavyweight champion John Ruiz of Las Vegas finally gets a chance to fight another man when he takes on mandatory challenger Kirk Johnson July 27 at Mandalay Bay.
The Ruiz vs. Holyfield trilogy had its ups and downs for both men, as each won a fight and accepted a draw in their most recent meeting. Holyfield has since beaten Hasim Rahman by eighth-round technical decision June 1 in Atlantic City, and now Ruiz gets a chance to face someone other than an old tormenter.
"I'm definitely focused and glad to be fighting someone other than Holyfield," Ruiz said at a news conference last weekend. "I know I looked like s--- in my last fight against Holyfield and I apologize for that. I wasn't myself."
That last fight with Holyfield, in December in Ledyard, Conn., followed a familiar script as it went the distance. So did their March, 2001, fight in Las Vegas that Ruiz won by decision, as did their August, 2000, fight in Las Vegas that Holyfield won by decision.
Amazingly, Ruiz has not fought anyone but Holyfield since he took on journeyman Thomas Williams in Tunica, Miss., on Dec. 11, 1999.
He's 37-4-1 with his other losses to David Tua in 1996, Danell Nicholson in 1994 and the late Sergei Kobozev in 1993.
Johnson is 32-0-1 and is listed as a 3-1 betting favorite by local oddsmaker Herb Lambeck. The sports book at Mandalay Bay has yet to post a line on the fight and a supervisor said this week that a line would not be up for another two or three weeks.
"It's an honor to be fighting for the WBA title," Johnson said. "Ruiz and I are the future of the division.
"I'm the only undefeated heavyweight and I'll be the undefeated heavyweight champion of the world after July 27."
Ruiz countered by saying he's motivated not only by seeing a new face but by having moved to Las Vegas, as he did last summer.
"This is the first time I've fought here since moving here and it's exciting for me," he said. "I'm much more relaxed."
Also on the card is International Boxing Federation junior bantamweight champ Tim Austin, vs. Adan Vargas, and one-time heavyweight prospect Lamon Brewster.
"I'm still looking for a defining fight," Austin mentioned. "If it means moving up (in weight), I will. I've never ducked anybody and I want to show my best against the best."
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