Ruiz had been struggling until he turned the fight around in the opening seconds of the 11th round.

Having been cut on the forehead and under both eyes, Ruiz unleashed a right-hander that dumped 38-year-old Holyfield on to the canvas.

Holyfield got to his feet, but was clearly struggling as he held onto Ruiz for the rest of the round.

In a tight encounter Holyfield appeared to be on his way to winning, until a controversial call by referee Joe Cortez in the latter stages of the 10th round.

The four-time champion hit Ruiz with a two punch combination to put his man on the canvas.

But the first punch was adjudged low, and whilst Ruiz was given valuable time to recover, Holyfield received a point deduction.

And the tide of the fight changed in the next round as Ruiz fought back to floor Holyfield.

The bout was a rematch of a bout Holyfield won last August by a controversial unanimous decision.

After the fight Holyfield hit back at suggestions that he should retire.

"I was a four-time champion, and now it looks like I have to become a five-time champion.

"He cracked me with a good shot, and I didn't see it coming - it's a fact of life you can get cracked with good shots."

Ruiz though was delighted to have gained revenge.

"The last two rounds were mine, and that's what brought me this," he said.

"I came and got what I wanted."