Superior Hopkins downs Joppy Spinks ends Mayorga's reign

The Puerto Rican fighter earned the right to face American Roy Jones jr for the WBA belt.

Ruiz landed his punches on Rahman to good effect but the bout was a tentative affair.

"They all can't be pretty fights," Ruiz said. "I can't always look good, some fights are gruelling."

Ruiz hit Rahman hard with a right-hook midway into the second round, but was unable to press the advantage.

The 31-year-old has not knocked out an opponent in four years, since he began fighting world title bouts.

"After the second round I knew I had him so I just kept boxing him," Ruiz said.

I couldn't do nothing with that - that was as ugly as can be Hasim Rahman

"I jabbed him the whole fight and beat him to the punch."

Jones, who comfortably defeated Ruiz in March, must take on the challenge within 120 days or surrender his title.

But the American has indicated he would prefer to meet Mike Tyson in a more lucrative bout instead of defending his crown.

Rahman also had his sights on a money-spinning third title fight with Lennox Lewis but now he must decide whether to hang up his gloves for good.

The former world title-holder feels he still has a fight left in him and was unhappy with the outcome in Atlantic City.

"Look at his face, it's all busted open," Rahman said.