Former WBA heavyweight world champion John Ruiz has signed signed for Golden Boy Promotions ahead of his bout with Britain's David Haye this year.

The 38-year-old, who has 44 wins, 30 by knock-out in a 54-fight professional career, will attempt to defeat Haye in the Briton's first defence of the title he won from Nikolay Valuev last year.

"I'm excited to become a member of the Golden Boy Promotions family and know that I have a great future ahead of me," said Ruiz. "I'm going to continue to make history and break records one fight at a time, starting with David Haye this spring. I know Golden Boy will help get me back to the top of the heavyweight division and to secure my place in the boxing history books."

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Oscar de la Hoya, the president of Golden Boy Promotions and himself a multiple world champion in six different weight classes, added: "John Ruiz is a very skilled and talented heavyweight and we are very excited to add him to our elite stable of fighters. He has proven time and time again that he has what it takes to battle with the top guys in the division and will continue to do so in 2010 and beyond."

The financial value of the deal will depend on Ruiz's results, but is expected to be worth several million dollars this year.