McBride moves in on Ruiz world title bout

Boxing: Irish heavyweight Kevin McBride has moved closer to a coveted fight with World Boxing Association heavyweight champion John Ruiz following a series of negotiations with promoter Don King.

McBride and his team of trainer Pascal Collins, brother of former WBO middleweight champion Steve, and Boston lawyer Mike Moynihan have been given contracts by King for a Ruiz fight. However, McBride's camp are waiting until a detailed examination is carried out by Moynihan before they sign.

Clones-born McBride, who sensationally defeated Mike Tyson earlier this summer, launched himself as a contender following a modest professional career, which then took off with the Tyson win. Since then, because of his large Irish following, the 32-year-old 6ft 6ins (197cm) fighter has become attractive to pay-for-view television. King has met the McBride team twice, two weeks ago in Chicago and again last Thursday. Norman Stone, Ruiz's manager, has also spoken to McBride's representatives.

James Toney beat Ruiz in a title fight in April but when Toney tested positive for the banned steroid nandrolone, the fight was declared a "no contest". Toney was banned for 90 days and fined $10,000 and Ruiz held on to his WBA belt.

The contract given to McBride's lawyers is a standard King contract, which would tie the Irishman to the American promoter for three years but also ensure he got a title shot against the champion. McBride, however, is holding out for guaranteed minimums for future bouts as well as training expenses, which are not usually part of King's standard deals.

"Just to sign the standard contract would be silly," said Boston-based Collins yesterday. "Our lawyers are looking at it but from our point of view it is still good. But why would we sign the contracts unless there is something in it for our side. If the fight can't happen until Christmas or January, we will have to keep Kevin busy, make sure people still remember he was the one who beat Tyson. We are still talking . . . From our point of view the contract probably needs to be signed in the next week or two."

McBride is ranked 20th in the August WBA ratings, his highest ever, and a win over Ruiz would make him the first Irish world heavyweight champion in over 50 years.