Dethroned WBA heavyweight champion John Ruiz has quit boxing following his points loss to James Toney in New York. The American, who has a career record of 41 wins, six losses and one draw, spoke of his "hate" for the sport.
"I treated everybody with respect, but they didn't treat me the same way," said Ruiz at Madison Square Garden.
"It hurts me to walk away like this. It's sad for me to put it this way, but boxing was the sport I loved and now it's the sport I hate."
Before the fight, a New York State Athletic Commission inspector asked Ruiz to shave the beard he had sported in previous fights.
And Ruiz said the incident suggested that his number was up.
"It dawned on me they were going to do everything they could to get me out of the sport tonight," he said.
"I knew right then this was the night they were going to take it away from me.
"They never wanted me to beat Evander Holyfield. They never thought I'd beat Hasim Rahman or Andrew Golota or those other guys.
"I did all I could to lift up the sport of boxing. I extended my hand to everybody and all they did was say bad about me.
"I'm a nice guy. I'm finished. I've been fed up with what goes on in boxing for a while."
MMIX
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