From the projects to owning boxing’s ultimate crown
“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, لكن, when I hear people talk about it today, أعتقد, رائع, I’m still the only Latino to do that.”
Several years ago, Ruiz opened a gym (Quietman الرياضة رياضة) 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, لكن, أكثر أهمية, 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.”
رابطة خريجي الملاكمة USA
أنشئت لبطل لمدى الحياة, العلاقات ذات المنفعة المتبادلة بين الولايات المتحدة الأمريكية الملاكمة وخريجيها, –الملاكمين, مسؤولون, المدربين والمشجعين الملاكمة — رابطة خريجي يربط الأجيال الابطال, الملهم ويعيد الى بطل الملاكمة في المستقبل USA الملاكمة, الدخول والخروج من الحلبة.
رابطة الملاكمة خريجي الولايات المتحدة منفتحة على أي شخص لديه حب للملاكمة، ونود أن البقاء على اتصال مع الملاكمة للهواة. يتم منح أعضاء الوصول إلى مجموعة واسعة من الفعاليات الخاصة التي استضافتها جمعية الخريجين, بما في ذلك الولايات المتحدة الأمريكية السنوية للملاكمة رابطة خريجي قاعة الاستقبال شهرة.
للانضمام إلى جمعية الخريجين, تسجيل ببساطة في alumni@usaboxing.org ل $40.00 في رسوم عضوية العام. والأعضاء الجدد الحصول على تي شيرت, المفاتيح والمحفظة الإلكترونية.
اليوم, John lives in Palm City, فلوريدا. 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.