Boxing: Ruiz's trainer continues his habit of creating winners

Andy Ruiz Jr appeared relaxed in an All Blacks shirt as he and his entourage were welcomed at Auckland Airport. Photo / Photosport

There are few guarantees in life, and fewer still in the world of professional boxing, but Andy Ruiz Jr's decision to pair with legendary trainer Abel Sanchez before his world title fight against Joseph Parker was vindicated again yesterday.

As Ruiz arrived at Auckland Airport from Los Angeles, Sanchez was masterminding a world title victory in Moscow by his cruiserweight Murat Gassiev, a training partner of Ruiz's at Big Bear Lake, California.

So while Sanchez wasn't with his heavyweight on arrival, when he does set foot on New Zealand soil on Wednesday, he will do so with his reputation enhanced, having won his 17th world title as a trainer. He will be confident that Ruiz will be his 18th.

Gassiev, a tough Russian who has sparred with Ruiz as the Mexican prepares for Parker's lightning hand speed, beat countryman Denis Lebedev by split decision after dropping him in the fifth round.

Ruiz has clearly backed a winner there, so it was perhaps appropriate that he arrived to a 16-person kapa haka welcome wearing an All Blacks jersey given to him by a Kiwi fan at Los Angeles airport. Sanchez has a great winning record, but he is also from boxing's old-school, where tradition and respect are critical.

Ruiz has arrived in the physical shape of his life, and the powerful powhiri would have underlined the importance of Saturday's fight at Auckland's Vector Arena for both himself and Parker. Both are aiming to make history for their countries.

"The champ is here" shouted one of his small entourage, which included his mother and father, as they walked into the arrivals hall. That was it, though - the next 15 minutes were spent standing in silence as Ruiz, holding a pohutukawa flower offering, and his group were welcomed by the KaiHaka group.

Afterwards he looked relaxed as he mingled with the Maori performers, shaking hands and sharing a hongi with each one. He tousled the hair of a boy, aged about 8, at the end of the line, before posing for pictures and speaking briefly to the media.

"It was pretty cool and I kind of enjoyed it," said Ruiz. "Every culture and every country has their own thing. I appreciated what they were doing and I enjoyed it.

"It's the opportunity of a lifetime. I've been training my ass off. Me and Joseph Parker are going to give out a good fight. There are going to be a lot of fireworks on December 10. I'm ready to rock and roll."

This, he said, "is not my first rodeo".

The 27-year-old, an Olympian, has fought 29 times as a professional including in Macau and Beijing. He appeared unfazed by the attention, and wasn't worried about his arrival only six days before the fight.

"I've done this three times when I went to China and the time difference is more different there. I don't think this affects me in any way.

"There has never been a Mexican heavyweight champion of the world and, God willing, I'm going to be the first one. I'm going to accomplish my dreams.

"Parker is a good fighter - big, with speed, just like me. We both have the same advantage except he's a little bit taller. We sparred two or three years ago so he knows a little something about me and I know a little something about him. The fight could go either way.

"I see in my head that it's a life or death fight. I'm going to die trying to get that belt and, God willing on my side, we're going to get it."

Ruiz said a fellow passenger gave him his All Blacks jersey - the team's new alternate strip which they wore recently against France in Paris.

"He said it was a new one so I appreciate that."