Ruiz Sues James Toney Over Steroid Use
NEW YORK -- Heavyweight boxer John Ruiz has filed a lawsuit against James Toney, who beat him in April for the heavyweight title but was then stripped of the crown for testing positive for steroids.
Attorneys for Ruiz said the suit alleges that Ruiz was damaged financially despite the fact the WBA restored him as champion after Toney's postfight test came up positive for Nandrolone.
Ruiz claims in the suit that he would have won the fight if not for Toney being stronger and faster because he was using the drug.
"The problem of steroids in the sport of boxing must be addressed," Ruiz said in a statement. "This lawsuit is an effort to push this process forward."
Since the April 30 fight, Ruiz has called for boxing organizations to adopt stricter policies for steroid use.
Ruiz, who has not fought since losing the decision to Toney, is currently in training for a Dec. 17 defense of the WBA title in Berlin against Nicoli Faluyev, the No. 1 contender.
In addition to being stripped of the title, Toney was banned from fighting for the WBA title for two years. He blamed the positive steroid test on medication he had taken to help his injured shoulder heal.
NEW YORK -- Heavyweight boxer John Ruiz has filed a lawsuit against James Toney, who beat him in April for the heavyweight title but was then stripped of the crown for testing positive for steroids.
Attorneys for Ruiz said the suit alleges that Ruiz was damaged financially despite the fact the WBA restored him as champion after Toney's postfight test came up positive for Nandrolone.
Ruiz claims in the suit that he would have won the fight if not for Toney being stronger and faster because he was using the drug.
"The problem of steroids in the sport of boxing must be addressed," Ruiz said in a statement. "This lawsuit is an effort to push this process forward."
Since the April 30 fight, Ruiz has called for boxing organizations to adopt stricter policies for steroid use.
Ruiz, who has not fought since losing the decision to Toney, is currently in training for a Dec. 17 defense of the WBA title in Berlin against Nicoli Faluyev, the No. 1 contender.
In addition to being stripped of the title, Toney was banned from fighting for the WBA title for two years. He blamed the positive steroid test on medication he had taken to help his injured shoulder heal.
