John Ruiz and David Haye Sign, Bernard Hopkins Waits

David Haye versus John Ruiz has just been announced for April 3 at the O2 Arena in London.

Many think this will be easy work for Haye, and it may well be, but I think an interesting slant to the fight is Golden Boy’s signing of Ruiz.

This had many in the boxing community scratching their heads. Who next, David Tua?

Don’t underestimate the Golden Boy crew, however, as this is actually a very smart, old-school boxing move.

They have no interest in Ruiz. Their only interest is what’s wrapped around Haye’s waist at the minute. It’s just a company trying to control a belt.

When a company makes a move like this—in effect paying Ruiz a lot of money, just in case he upsets the odds and wins—it’s usually because it has serious plans for that belt.

I’d suggest the serious plans are more than likely Bernard Hopkins's debut at Heavyweight.

I've heard various sources saying Hopkins wants a heavyweight title. Partly to match his great rival, Roy Jones, and partly because he’s at a stage in his career at which he has little to motivate him.

This is just Golden Boy trying to set up the fight. Trying to manoeuvre Hopkins into position.

Trying to set up Haye versus Hopkins for 2011.

Hopkins would be a brave man to take that fight. Not only does Haye hold a 30-pound weight advantage, but he’s also just as quick and as skilled as B-Hop, and is probably the biggest puncher in the sport.

The brain says he’s crazy. The heart says never write off Hopkins, no matter what the odds.