Toney Takes Title from Ruiz

James Toney joined Roy Jones Jr. and Bob Fitzsimmons as the only former middleweight chmpions to win a heavyweight title by scoring a unanimous decision over WBA champ John Ruiz. Expectations were so low for this fight that the relatively uneventful and uninspiring bout was still better than expected. Toney was credited with a knockdown in round seven but replays showed Toney had stepped on Ruiz' foot. Ruiz tired in the later rounds and all three judges scored in favor of Toney -- 116-111, 116-111 and 115-112. Toney called out Vitali Klitschko after the fight. Ruiz announced his retirement. Boxing fans, however, know better than to put much stock in hastily announced retirements shortly after disappointing defeats.