Evander Holyfield fights John Ruiz lor the second lime in eight months Saturday, seeking a more emphatic victory than the controversial decision that gave him the World Boxing Association heavyweight title in August.

But for Holyfield. 38, the fight is about more than silencing critics who said the vacant WBA crown should have gone to Ruiz last year. It's about proving he is still a dominant force in the heavyweight ranks.

"My goal is to become ihe undisputed heavyweight champion of the world," said Holyfield, who boasts a record of 37-4-1. with 25 wins inside the distance. If it means (Mike) Tyson, then I will fight him. If il means Lennox (Lewis), I will fight him. Whoever it

is, I will fighl him."

But Ruiz, 29. said the first fight proved that Holyfield is on his way out. and he, Ruiz, is on his way in.

"1 don't know if people really want to see Holyfield keep fighting." Ruiz said. "1 feel people are tired of hearing about the same guys over and over again, that they want some new names and new fights."

Despite his disappointment in August, Ruiz said, he proved to himself in the first fighl with Holy-field that he was championship material.

"I learned I deserved to be in the same category with these guys," said Ruiz, who brings a record of 36-4. with 27 wins inside the distance, to the fight. Everybody considered me a B-level lighter, and they said I would not even Iasi one round. But that fight proved to myself and ihe r< st of

the world ihai I could become the heavyweight < lump.

this lime. hopelulh. ihf judges will be looking at it as though there are two fighters inthe ring instead of jusi one." he added

Ruiz said he expects both himself and Holyfield io be better in the rematch than they were the first lime.

I'm prepaicd for him lo come out harder this time, especially the first three or four rounds. Ruiz said. He hales lo see someone come out and jab hitn. I Ie used lo be a boxer but somewhere- along the way he decided he's a brawler. He wants that from the other fighter. I went along last (ime and ! beat him anyway. J II beat him easier this way."

Promote) Don King says ihe winner of Saturday night's pay-per-view fight in Las Vegas will defend the WBA title in China in June.