Ruiz to defend crown against Toney
NEW YORK -- World Boxing Association heavyweight champion John Ruiz of Puerto Rico will defend his crown against former cruiserweight world champion James Toney in New York next month.
Details of the April 30 fight card at Madison Square Garden, will be revealed on Tuesday, promoter Don King has revealed.
World Boxing Council heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko and former world champion Hasim Rahman were to have used the date before a thigh injury disrupted the Ukrainian's training. A June date is now likely.
Ruiz, 41-5 with one draw and 28 knockouts, will have a veteran foe in Toney, who stands 68-4 with two drawn and 43 knockouts.
Toney moved up from the crusierweight ranks 18 months ago with a victory over Evander Holyfield, who lost his crown to Ruiz.
But Toney suffered a torn left Achilles tendon last year, delaying his heavyweight title quest.
King has said he hopes to bring about a heavyweight unification series that would also involve International Boxing Federation champion Chris Byrd, an American southpaw promoted by King.
Two other King fighters, American Lamon Brewster and Poland's Andrew Golota, meet in Chicago on May 21 for Brewster's World Boxing Organization title.
