Former two-time WBA World Heavyweight champion John “The Quiet Man” Ruiz visited Boston Thursday to donate boxing equipment to the South Boston Boxing Club after the gym was burglarized in early-September.
“The main reason I came here today is my brother (Eddie, a coach at the South Boston Boxing Club) told me what happened at this gym and how everything had been taken,” said Ruiz, 37, a Puerto Rican-American who was born in nearby Methuen, MA. “I was taken aback by what happened here. I couldn’t understand how anybody could do that to kids. I really can’t put how I felt into words. It’s time to move forward though. I wanted to do what I could to help the gym and the kids.”
Ruiz (43-8-1, 29 KOs), who currently resides in Las Vegas, was at the Mohegan Sun in Connecticut last week where he served as a special guest at the American Association of Professional Ringside Physicians annual convention and awards night.
After he made his appearance in the “Constitution State,” Ruiz voyaged north to Beantown.
“I want to thank John and Team Ruiz,” said Tommy Lee, the Director of the South Boston Boxing Club.
“I got the call on Labor Day about the gym being broken into and all our new equipment being stolen. I told Eddie (Ruiz) the next night. He didn’t say much but the next night, he told me he spoke to his brother and the champ wanted to donate equipment for the kids. That shows what type of guy John Ruiz is. He’s always had a stellar reputation in New England boxing and he’s known as one of the nicest guys in boxing. John stepped up to replace the equipment. And he did it for these kids.”
Outside of the New England region, Ruiz has long been considered an unpopular pugilist because of the “clinch and grab” tactics that he is known to employ in the ring.
Whether or not he is an exciting or boring prizefighter, it is apparent that John Ruiz is a kind and generous individual who wants to make a positive impact in the world.
“The Quiet Man” and his benevolent actions made that point clearer than his words ever could have.
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