Ruiz keeps title with draw against Holyfield

John Ruiz retained his World Boxing Association heavyweight title with a draw after 12 rounds against Evander Holyfield on Saturday.

The fight featured almost as much wrestling as boxing as the two men grappled and pushed each other around the ring, especially in the first few rounds.

The first round caused some controversy when Holyfield broke Ruiz's nose, which Ruiz's corner claimed had been done by an elbow that the four-time former world champion often held pressed against Ruiz's throat.

Holyfield countered by complaining to referee Steve Smolger, who had his hands full trying to prise the fighters apart, about Ruiz's holding.

Holyfield appeared to have an exhausted-looking Ruiz in trouble in the 11th and 12th rounds, but could not finish him off despite Ruiz, who at 29 is 10 years younger than Holyfield, literally hanging on in the last round.

The 10th round was the most exciting of the fight when Holyfield hammered Ruiz into the corner with combinations to the head.

Ruiz then spun out of the corner, landed hard punches of his own and the two men proceeded to fight toe-to-toe to the cheers of the crowd of 4,200.

Judge Julie Lederman scored the fight 116-112 for Holyfield, Don O'Neill had it 115-113 for Ruiz, and Tommy Kaczmarek scored it even at 114-114.

"I was trying," Ruiz said after the fight. "He caught me with a good shot (late in the fight), but I kept coming. I fought his fight.

"I definitely feel I won. It took me a while to get off but I did. I was disappointed. I wanted a knockout."

Holyfield said: "Of course, I feel as though I won. But when it goes to the judges, anything can happen."

Asked if he would retire, Holyfield said: "I don't quit and I will not quit."

This was the third fight between the two men, who split the previous two bouts. Ruiz is now 37-4-1 and Holyfield is 37-5-2.