On the scales, Valuev (48-1, 34KOs) weighed in at 144.4 kg (318.3 lbs), while Ruiz (43-7, 29KOs) hit 108.6 kg (239.4 lbs).
Valuev became Russia's first world heavyweight champion in December 2005 when he defeated Ruiz. In April last year he lost his title to Ruslan "White Tyson" Chagaev from Uzbekistan.
Since then Chagaev has defended his title once, but a torn achilles tendon forced a delay in his mandatory challenge bout against Valuev. On July 4, the WBA decided to sanction a match against the Russian's closest contender, "The Quiet Man."
Chagaev is currently what the WBA calls a "champion in recess," and the winner of the Valuev-Ruiz fight will have to face Chagaev before June 26, 2009, if the Uzbek manages to get fighting fit by then.
