BERLIN (AP) – Having lost back-to-back fights in Germany hasn’t deterred John Ruiz from returning here in a bid to win the WBA heavyweight belt for the third time in a bout against Nicolai Valuev on Saturday.

“I believe the third time (in Germany) will be a charm”, Ruiz said during a news conference Thursday at a Berlin hotel.

The 35-year old Valuev and the 36-year-old Ruiz, the top two contenders in the WBA, were given a title fight after the WBA declared Ruslan Chagaev “champion in recess,” following an Achilles’ tendon injury that forced him to cancel his rematch with Valuev.

Chagaev has beaten both boxers in the last few years.

In Ruiz’s most recent bout in Germany, he lost to Chagaev in 2006 in Duesseldorf.

Before that the American (43-7-1, 29 KOs) lost to Valuev (48-1, 34 KOs) in December 2005 in Berlin. That fight ended with a disputed decision, with the judges giving the victory to the 7-foot, 345-pound Russian, the tallest and heaviest heavyweight champion in history.

“We came back to Berlin to get what was robbed from us,” Ruiz said at the news conference.

Wearing a black jumpsuit with “Team Ruiz” emblazoned on the back, Ruiz promised fans that they will see a different approach from a fighter known for an unpopular clutching style. “I am not going to do any holding this time,” he said. “I am coming to fight.”

Ruiz adviser Toni Cardinale introduced the fighter’s new coach, Manuel Siaca Jr., who trained 27 boxers to titles and promised that Ruiz will be No. 28.

“We are not here for the payday,” Cardinale said. “We are here to win a fight. This is the fight of his life.”

After Valuev presented a five-minute video clip that showed him and his family celebrating his birthday last week, he deflected questions about what adjustments he had made to face Ruiz, a fighter with a similar physique to Chagaev. “You will have to come and watch on Saturday,” Valuev said.

Sitting between the two camps was American promoter Don King. Waving German, American, Russian and Puerto Rican little flags, King promised a great fight.

“There will be a tremendous explosion in Berlin on Saturday,” King said. “I would like to invite Chancellor (Angela) Merkel to witness it.”

AP-ES-08-28-08 1353EDT