Downer for Tyrone Spong: finish great boxing fight against ex-world champion | Sport

The 36-year-old Spong, born in Paramaribo, has been active as a boxer since 2015. Before that he also fought as a kickboxer, including for Glory. He won all fourteen matches as a pure boxer, of which thirteen times with a knockout. Although it must be said that he has never shared the ring with anyone like Ruiz Jr.

With his Mexican-American opponent, Spong would meet the former champion of the WBA (Super), IBF, WBO and IBO. Ruiz Jr created a sensation in 2019 by beating Anthony Joshua on points, taking the Briton from his four championship belts. Six months later, however, he fell short in a rematch and Joshua recaptured his titles. Of his 36 matches, Ruiz Jr lost only two.

Spong’s most recent bout was an MMA fight against Sergei Kharitonov. The Surinamese-Dutchman, known for his devastating punches, was no match for the Russian on the ground and lost in the second round by technical knockout.

The name of Spong has also been regularly linked to Rico Verhoeven in recent years. Both have said more than once that they are not unwilling to face a fight, but it did not come to an actual clash (yet). Just like ‘The King of Kickboxing’, Spong has a royal nickname ‘The King of the Ring’ and as a kickboxer beat such greats as Melvin Manhoef, Peter Aerts, Remy Bonjasky and Ray Sefo.