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, ach, when I hear people talk about it today, I mo thuairimse,, wow, I’m still the only Latino to do that.”

Several years ago, Ruiz opened a gym (Quietman Spóirt Giomnáisiam) 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, ach, níos tábhachtaí fós, 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 Cumann Dornálaíochta Alumni

Created to champion a lifelong, mutually beneficial relations between USA Boxing and its alumni, –dhornálaithe, oifigigh, cóistí agus lucht leanúna dornálaíochta — An Cumann Alumni nascann glúnta de Seaimpíní, spreagadh agus a thabhairt ar ais go dtí Seaimpíní dornálaíochta USA Dornálaíochta sa todhchaí, isteach agus amach as an fáinne.

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, lena n-áirítear a bliantúil USA Dornálaíochta Cumann Alumni Halla na Laochra fáiltiú.

A bheith ar an Chumainn Alumni, ach clárú ag alumni@usaboxing.org ar feadh $40.00 per year membership fee. New members will receive a T-shirt, keychain agus r-sparán.

Sa lá atá inniu, 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.

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