Ruiz's manager resigns following title belt tug-of-war

0 Comments | AFP, December, 2005

BOSTON, United States (AFP) — Fiver days after his fighter, John Ruiz, lost his World Boxing Association heavyweight title, manager Norman Stone resigned, ending his 20-year association with the American boxer.

Stone caused a scene in the ring by initially refusing to surrender the title belt to the new champion, Nicolay Valuev, of Russia.

"I'm done," Stone said. "I'm tired of boxing and last week's bad decision was the last straw. I'm sorry if my actions sometimes upset people."

A two-time heavyweight champion, Ruiz lost a majority decision to 2.1 metre (seven foot) Valuev in Berlin last Saturday. After the decision Stone grabbed the WBA belt and was punched a member of Valuev's camp.

The 54-year-old Stone had been manager and cutman for Ruiz for 20...