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, але, when I hear people talk about it today, Я думаю, wow, I’m still the only Latino to do that.”
Several years ago, Ruiz opened a gym (Quietman Спартыўная зала) in Medford, Масачусэтс, 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, але, што яшчэ больш важна, 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.”
Асацыяцыя выпускнікоў бокса ЗША
Created to champion a lifelong, mutually beneficial relations between USA Boxing and its alumni, –баксёры, чыноўнікі, трэнеры і балельшчыкі — Асацыяцыя выпускнікоў аб'ядноўвае пакаленні чэмпіёнаў, натхняе і аддае будучым чэмпіёнам па боксе ЗША, ў і з кальца.
Асацыяцыя выпускнікоў бокса ЗША адкрыта для ўсіх, хто мае любоў да бокса і хацеў бы заставацца на сувязі з аматарскім боксам.. Удзельнікі атрымліваюць доступ да самых розных спецыяльных мерапрыемстваў, якія праводзяцца Асацыяцыяй выпускнікоў, у тым ліку яго штогадовы ЗША бокса Асацыяцыі выпускнікоў Зала славы прыёму.
Для таго, каб уступіць у Асацыяцыю выпускнікоў, проста зарэгістравацца на alumni@usaboxing.org дзеля $40.00 у год членскі ўзнос. Новыя ўдзельнікі атрымаюць футболку, брелок для ключоў і электронны кашалёк.
Сёння, John lives in Palm City, Фларыда. 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.