Tag Archives: John Ruiz

boxing, Murphys Boxing

NABA SUPER WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPION, MARK DELUCA TO FACE UNDEFEATED CANADIAN CONTENDER, BRANDON BREWER

Leave a comment
SATURDAY, JUNE 29 IN PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND


FIGHT ADDED TO THE DAZN BROADCAST OF
DEMETRIUS ANDRADE VS. MACIEJ SULECKI


TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE


Boston (June 13, 2019):


Murphys Boxing is proud to announce NABA super welterweight champion, Mark DeLuca (23-1, 13 KOs) will face undefeated Canadian contender, Brandon Brewer (23-0-1, 11 KOs) on the undercard of the middleweight world championship bout between Demetrius Andrade and Maciej Sulecki live on DAZN on Saturday, June 29th in Providence, Rhode Island.


DeLuca, who is ranked #9 in the world by the WBA, is coming off a dominate unanimous decision victory over once beaten, Jimmy Williams this past March and is looking to make a statement against an undefeated opponent in order to secure a title elimination fight later this year.


“It’s on short notice but I don’t have any hesitation taking the fight.”, explains the former Marine who is one of New England’s most popular fighters.


“A good performance against an undefeated fighter of Brewer’s caliber on a DAZN televised card will hopefully be enough to land another Top 10 fighter in the ring for a title eliminator. My goal is to be the first world champion from the Boston area since John Ruiz and I feel like all the pieces are finally coming together.”


As for DeLuca’s massive Boston area fan base, the Whitman, Massachusetts native is confident they will be making the short trip down to Providence.


“It’s definitely a home game for me. Providence is only 45 minutes from my front door. I can guarantee you that Boston will be in the house.”


DeLuca’s promoter and Murphys Boxing founder, Ken Casey couldn’t agree more with his fighter.


“Mark deserves big opportunities likes this. Fighting an undefeated opponent on DAZN is a major step to a world title shot. We’re excited for boxing fans to find out what the city of Boston already knows, Mark DeLuca is one of the best super welterweights in the world.”


DeLuca vs. Brewer takes place as part of Andrade vs. Sulecki on Saturday, June 29th at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center (1 La Salle Square, Providence, RI, 02903). The event is promoted by Matchroom Boxing USA and will be broadcast worldwide on DAZN. Doors open at 5pm and tickets are on sale now by calling or texting 617-657-4356 or emailing mbloom@murphysboxing.com.


ABOUT MURPHYS BOXING


Murphys Boxing was founded by Dropkick Murphys’ frontman, Ken Casey in 2014. In just 5 short years, Murphys Boxing has become the premier boxing promoter in the New England area and one of the hottest young promotions in the country. 2018 was a breakout year for Murphys Boxing as they took their first fighter to a world title. Along with the promotion’s first champion, several Murphys Boxing fighters secured world title opportunities and nationally televised fights in 2018. Murphys Boxing closed out their banner year by co-promoting the WBO Middleweight Championship bout between Demetrius Andrade and Walter Kautondokwa in front of over 10,000 fans at the TD Garden, the legendary home of the Boston Celtics, which was broadcast internationally on DAZN. Murphys Boxing’s current roster features world ranked contenders like Mark DeLuca, Charles Foster, Abraham Nova, Greg Vendetti, Gary ‘Spike’ O’Sullivan and undefeated prospects like Niall Kennedy, Carlos Gongora, William Foster III and more!


For more information visit: www.murphysboxing.com
boxing, USA Boxing

USA Boxing Alumni Association Profile: John “The Quietman” Ruiz

Leave a comment

From the projects to owning boxing’s ultimate crown


COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (March 12, 2019) – From the projects to owning arguably the most respected individual title in sports, John “The Quietman” Ruiz remains the only Latino to capture the coveted world heavyweight title.
 
Ruiz, 47, is a proud Puerto-Rican American boxer who grew-up in a Chelsea, Massachusetts. The two-time World Boxing Association (WBA) heavyweight champion, defeated USA Boxing Alumni Association Hall of Famer Evander Holyfield in the second of their three title fights, to secure for the first time, the world heavyweight crown.  
 
A decorated amateur boxer, Ruiz compiled a 50-5 record, similar to his final pro record of 44-9-1 (30 KOs) between 1992-2010, including gold- medal performances at the All-New England Championships, USA Boxing National Championships and the Los Angeles Olympic Festival, which elevated him to the No. 1 light heavyweight position in the United States ratings.
 
Ruiz was also an outstanding all-around athlete at Chelsea High, particularly in football, in which he was an all-star. He started boxing at the age of seven, eventually developing his skills at the Somerville Boxing Club.
 
“Boxing was the only sport I figured I’d have a good chance of succeeding,” Ruiz (pictured here on far left) explained why he pursued boxing as opposed to football or another team sport. “The other sports you had to go to college, and I didn’t have the grades.”
 
Ruiz never looked back and no boxer ever got more out of their God-given skills than him. After winning his first tournament (PAL in New Jersey), he became part of the USA Team that traveled to Sweden to compete in a dual-meet.
 
“Outside of Puerto Rico (he lived there for 6-7 years in his early youth),” Ruiz remembered fondly. “I had never traveled outside of the United States. USA Boxing gave me an opportunity to travel there, Australia, Italy and all over the United States. Even more than how those experiences prepared me for the pro ranks, it gave me a taste of life experience, traveling to places I never would have been able to go to on my own. Amateur boxing also gave me structure and confidence in myself for when I turned pro. I also met so many different people, fighters and coaches, from all over the world.”
 
In addition to his aforementioned victory at the Los Angles Olympic Festival, which qualified him as a Team USA member to compete in the World Championships in Australia (finished 6th in the world), perhaps the highlight of his amateur career was defeating Torsten May, the 1992 Olympic gold medal winner from Germany, at a dual meet in Florida.
 
“My association with John goes back to 1990,” added Al Valenti, USA Boxing Special Projects Consultant. “I was thrilled that a local kid was honing his skills in the boxing ring. John made an incredible impact on the National Amateur boxing scene in the early nineties; making it all the way to the Olympic Trials in Worcester (MA). Having been involved in the trials was extra special for me because John was such a great competitor and good kid. Boxing history will have a place for John Ruiz, not many survived 36 rounds with Evander. Being the first Latino World Heavyweight Champion was quite an accomplishment for “The Quietman”.
 
Ruiz turned pro August 20, 1992, winning a four-round unanimous decision over Kevin Parker. During his pro career, he defeated top contemporary names such as Holyfield,James Thunder, Jerry Ballard, Fernely Felix, Kirk Johnson, Fres Oquendo, Andrew Golota and Jameel McCline.
 
History was made March 3, 2013 in Las Vegas, when he became only the second fighter to drop Holyfield en route to his WBA title-winning fight by way of a 12-round unanimous decision, earning him instant notoriety as the first Latino to hold the coveted world heavyweight title belt.



John Ruiz met President George W. Bush in the White House after becoming the first Latino to become world heavyweight boxing champion (Picture courtesy of the Boston Herald)

“I’m very proud to have accomplished that,” he continued, “but my main goal was to provide for my family and I always maintained that goal. Most fighters don’t succeed, but at the end of the day, that’s what pushed me. I don’t really think about being the only Latino to win the world heavyweight title, but, when I hear people talk about it today, I think, wow, I’m still the only Latino to do that.” 

Several years ago, Ruiz opened a gym (Quietman Sports Gym) in Medford, MA, not too far from where he grew up in Chelsea and trained in Somerville. It has been a registered club member by USA Boxing since 2012, but, more importantly, it’s Ruiz’ way of giving back to amateur boxing. 

“I felt there was a need to help more kids and give them an opportunity to get out of the house and do something productive and fun,” Ruiz commented. “They all have a chance to work on self confidence and one could possibly become world champion. I feel obligated to help kids because I remember years ago when I was in the same position. They need guidance. If I didn’t have all the support I did growing up, I wouldn’t have turned out the way I did. I want to help kids understand how to accomplishment their goals.” 

USA Boxing Alumni Association 

Created to champion a lifelong, mutually beneficial relations between USA Boxing and its alumni, –boxers, officials, coaches and boxing fans — The Alumni Association connects generations of champions, inspiring and giving back to USA Boxing’s future boxing champions, in and out of the ring. 

The USA Boxing Alumni Association is open to anyone who has a love for boxing and would like to stay connected with amateur boxing. Members are granted access to a wide variety of special events hosted by the Alumni Association, including its annual USA Boxing Alumni Association Hall of Fame reception. 

To join the Alumni Association, simply register at alumni@usaboxing.org for a $40.00 per year membership fee. New members will receive a T-shirt, keychain and e-wallet.  

Today, John lives in Palm City, Florida. He’s a correctional officer for the Martin County Sheriff Department. “Winning the world title twice as a pro was awesome,” Ruiz concluded, “but I definitely enjoyed the amateurs more than the pros, even though I would have loved to have represented the USA in the Olympics. USA Boxing opened up my mind to different things, taking me off the streets of Chelsea to made me feel……special.”   

John Ruiz has always preached, “Follow Your Dreams!” and he’s still doing that today.

INFORMATION: www.usaboxing.orgTwitter: @USABoxing, @USABoxingAlumn iInstagram: @USABoxing Facebook: /USABoxing 

amateur boxing, boxing

130th annual USA Boxing New England Championships Hosted by John Ruiz’ Quietman Sports Gym: Finals this Saturday in Plymouth

Leave a comment
MEDF0RD, Mass. (November 25, 2015) – The finals of the 130th annual USA Boxing New England Championships, hosted by Quietman Sports Gym, will be held this Saturday night (5 p.m. doors open, 7 p.m. first match) at Plymouth Memorial Hall in Plymouth, Massachusetts..
Quietman Sports Gym, located in Medford (MA), is owned and operated by two-time world heavyweight boxing champion John “The Quietman” Ruiz, the first and only world heavyweight champion of Latino heritage.
The 2015 USA Boxing N.E. champions in each weight class of the open division will advance to the USA National Championships.  Below are the pairings for Saturday night’s championship finals:
Some USA Boxing New England champions have already been crowned (see breakdown below) and they’re all welcome to attend Saturday night’s show to receive their awards:
 
Junior Olympic Champions
80 lbs.                        Diego Bengochoa               Top Flight
90 lbs.                        Akye Boston                       Framingham PAL
119 lbs.                      Isaiah Cruz                         Cruz Boxing
125 lbs.                      Robert DeGaetano             Camp Get Right
Novice Champions
123 lbs.                      Marquis Fowler                   Lowell West End
132 lbs.                      Joel Morales                       Somerville Boxing Club
165 lbs.                      Yancarlos Sanchez             Quietman Sports
Open Champions
114 lbs.                      Danny DeJesus                  Haverhill Inner City
119 female                 Amanda Pavone                 Nonantum Boxing Club
132 lbs.                      Brandon Higgins
201 lbs.                      Jesus Flores                       Canal Street
Youth Champions
132 lbs. open             Jose Tirado                         Grealish Boxing
165 lbs.                      Geovanni Lorenzo              Gentleman’s Gym
201+ lbs.                    Storm Dufree                      Manfredo’s
Tickets are priced at $55.00 (ringside), $22.00 (reserved seats) and $12.00 (general admission) are available by going to www.quietmansportsgym.com (click on New England Championship page) or at the door for $60.00, $25.00 and $15.00.
During the past 50 years, USA Boxing New England champions have included world champions such as Brockton (MA) middleweight “Marvelous” Marvin Hagler (1973) and Providence (RI) welterweight Demetrious “Boo Boo” Andrade (2005-2006), as well as U.S. Olympians Andrade and Providence super heavyweight Jason “Big Six” Estrada (2001-2002-2003), and Providence middleweight/heavyweight Matt “Too Smooth” Godfrey (2000 & 2004), Worcester (MA) middleweight Edwin Rodriguez(2008), and Framingham (MA) welterweight Danny “Bhoy” O’Connor.
QUIETMAN SPORTS GYM INFORMATION:
Telephone: 781.396.6700
Twitter & Instagram: @QuietmanSportsGym
Facebook:  www.Facebook.com.QuietmanSportsGym
amateur boxing, boxing

Amateur boxers registering for 130th annual USA Boxing New England Championships

Leave a comment
.

MEDF0RD, Mass. (October 27 2015) – More than 125 amateur boxers – ranging from open class to novice, masters and Junior Olympians – have already registered to compete in the upcoming 130th annual USA Boxing New England Championships which will be hosted by Quietman Sports Gym at two Massachusetts venues.
Quietman Sports Gym in Medford (MA) is owned and operated by two-time world heavyweight boxing champion John “The Quietman” Ruiz, the first and only world heavyweight champion of Hispanic heritage.
The quarterfinals will be held Saturday, November 7, followed by the following Saturday’s (Nov. 14) semifinals, both at Chelsea High School. Semifinal winners will qualify for the championship finals scheduled, Saturday, Nov. 28 at Plymouth Memorial Hall.  Winners in each weight class will advance to the USA National Championships. Doors open at 5:00 p.m. ET with the first match scheduled to start at 7:00 p.m. ET.
“Hurry up and get your tickets for this great event,” Ruiz said.  “Former world champion Tony DeMarco will be a special guest among others.”
Tickets are priced at $55.00 (ringside), $22.00 (reserved seats) and $12.00 (general admission) are available by going towww.quietmansportsgym.com (click on New England Championship page) or at the door.
Leading open boxers who’ve registered to compete include James Perella (BP Boxing), Amanda Pavone (Peter Welch’s Gym), Xavier Vega (Canal St. Gym), Elijah Peixoto (Big Six Boxing Academy), Johnny Rosa (Lawrence Boxing), Christopher Davis-Fogg (Uppercuts Boxing Club), Owen Minor (Camp Get Right) and Ashleigh Moore (Nonantum). Boxers may register by going to www.quietmansportsgym.comprior to the October 31 deadline.
During the past 50 years, USA Boxing New England champions have included world champions such as Brockton (MA) middleweight “Marvelous” Marvin Hagler (1973) and Providence (RI) welterweight Demetrious “Boo Boo” Andrade (2005-2006), as well as U.S. Olympians Andrade and Providence super heavyweight Jason “Big Six” Estrada(2001-2002-2003), and Providence middleweight/heavyweightMatt “Too Smooth” Godfrey (2000 & 2004), Worcester (MA) middleweight Edwin Rodriguez (2008), and Framingham (MA) welterweight Danny “Bhoy” O’Connor.
Event sponsorship and program advertising opportunities are available by visiting www.QuietmanSportsGym.com or calling781.396.6700.
QUIETMAN SPORTS GYM INFORMATION:
Telephone: 781.396.6700
Twitter & Instagram: @QuietmanSportsGym
Facebook:  www.Facebook.com.QuietmanSportsGym
boxing

USA BOXING NEW ENGLAND TO HONOR 5 RETIRED N.E. PRO BOXING CHAMPIONS Awards dinner Nov. 8 in Malden, Mass.

Leave a comment
Vinny Paz, Micky Ward, Joey Gamache, Jose Antonio Rivera & John Ruiz
BOSTON (Oct. 21, 2015) — USA Boxing New England, established in 1880 as the official governing body of amateur boxing in the region, will honor five former amateur standouts, who went on to become World Champions as professional boxers, Sunday, November 8 at Anthony’s in Malden.
Vinny Paz (Cranston, RI), Micky Ward (Lowell, MA), Joey Gamache (Lewiston, ME), Jose Antonio Rivera (Worcester, MA) and John Ruiz (Chelsea, MA) will receive awards for their outstanding accomplishments in the world of boxing.
USA Boxing New England will also present its inaugural Skeets Scioli Lifetime Achievement Award. Scioli served as President of USA Boxing New England, off and on, during an iconic 70-year period. He passed away in 2010 at the age of 97.
The Skeets Scioli award will be presented to referee/judge Mike Ryan (Tyngsboro, MA) and coach Carlos Garcia (Worcester, MA) for their long time contribution to the sport of amateur boxing.
Al Bernstein, Showtime Championship Boxing commentator and International Boxing Hall of Fame inductee, will serve as event emcee. “This is a tribute to some of boxing’s best,” Bernstein said. “New England has played a major role in boxing, not only here in America, but globally. I am thrilled to participate in this event and I am looking forward to connecting with the boxing fans in that region.”
USA Boxing will also pay tribute to current athletes and members. The event is a fundraiser to assist young amateur athletes with travel expenses to regional and national tournaments.
The event starts with cocktails at 2 p.m., followed by dinner at 3 p.m. Live and silent auctions along with raffles will take place.
Limited tickets are still available to purchase by calling USA Boxing New England at 781-329-9577.
amateur boxing, boxing

John Ruiz’ Quietman Sports Gym to host 130th annual USA Boxing New England Championships Nov. 7 & 14 in Chelsea, Nov. 28 in Plymouth

Leave a comment
MEDF0RD, Mass. (October 5, 2015) – Quietman Sports Gym, owned and operated by two-time world heavyweight boxing champion John “The Quietman” Ruiz, is hosting the 130thannual USA Boxing New England Championships next month at two Massachusetts venues.
The quarterfinals and semifinals will be held, respectively,November 7 & 14, at Chelsea High School with the championship finals scheduled for Nov. 28 at Plymouth Memorial Hall.  Winners in each weight class will advance to the USA National Championships
“This is a great opportunity for amateur boxers,” Ruiz said. “This tournament has great tradition and will feature great matches.  It’s an honor and pleasure for Quietman Sports Gym to serve as host of this year’s event.  We’re also proud to help raise funds for two great cause: Family Aid Boston (benefiting homeless families) and Chelsea High School High School Scholarship Fund.”
A Chelsea High School graduate, Ruiz is the only world heavyweight champion of Latino heritage.
During the past 50 years, USA Boxing New England champions have included world (pro) champions such as Brockton (MA) middleweight “Marvelous” Marvin Hagler (1973) and Providence (RI) welterweight Demetrious “Boo Boo” Andrade (2005-2006), as well as U.S. Olympians Andrade and Providence super heavyweight Jason “Big Six” Estrada(2001-2002-2003), plus Providence middleweight/heavyweightMatt “Too Smooth” Godfrey (2000 & 2004), Worcester (MA) middleweight Edwin Rodriguez (2008), and Framingham (MA) welterweight Danny “Bhoy” O’Connor.
Event sponsorship and program advertising opportunities are available by visiting www.QuietmanSportsGym.com or calling781.396.6700.
 
QUIETMAN SPORTS GYM INFORMATION:
Telephone: 781.396.6700
Twitter & Instagram: @QuietmanSportsGym
Facebook:  www.Facebook.com.QuietmanSportsGym