http://www.newsli.com/2010/04/26/jo...hampion-of-latino-heritage-calls-it-a-career/ (LONG ISLAND, N.Y.) After a professional career spanning 18 years, highlighted by becoming the first and only Heavyweight World Champion of Latino heritage, two-time world champion John The Quietman Ruiz today announced his retirement from the ring. Ruiz (44-9-1, 30 KOs) defeated three world champions Evander Holyfield, Hasim Rahman and Tony Tucker as well as top contenders such as Andrew Golota, Fres Oquendo, Jameel McCline and Kirk Johnson. Six of Johns nine career losses were to world champions. Ive had a great career but its time for me to turn the page and start a new chapter of my life, Ruiz said. Its sad that my final fight didnt work out the way I wanted, but, hey, thats boxing. Im proud of what Ive accomplished with two world titles, 12 championship fights, and being the first Latino Heavyweight Champion of the World. I fought anybody who got in the ring with me and never ducked anyone. Now, Im looking forward to spending more time with my family. I want to thank all of fans for staying in my corner through a long, up-and-down ride, as well as members of my family and team my manager and legal advisor, Atty. Tony Cardinale, my brother, Eddie (cornerman), and Keith McGrath (strength-and conditioning coach) whove been with me so long. I also want to thank my trainer Miguel Diaz and (assistant) Richie Sandoval for teaching an old dog, new tricks, and my promoter, Golden Boy Promotions, the fairest promoter in boxing. I was proud to be the WBA champion twice and have the opportunity to fight 12 times for the WBA championship, the oldest and most respected organization in boxing. Id particularly like to thank WBA President Gilberto Mendoza. Ruiz plans to move from Las Vegas back home to the Boston area this year and open a boxing gym in the inner city. With my experiences in boxing, he explained, I want to go home and open a gym where kids will have a place to go, keeping them off of the streets, so they can learn how to box and build character. Someday, Id like to see one of them go on to represent the United States in the Olympics. I want them to have the same opportunity to see the world that I had as an amateur. Ive always tried to be involved in community and charity work in the past and now Ill have more time to work with kids. Maybe, someday Ill get into training, but right now I just want to spend time with my wife, Maribelle, and my children. I wasnt around as much as I would have liked for my two oldest children, John and Jocelyn, because I was away training or fighting. Now, Ill be around for them and my 3-year-old son, Joaquin, as he grows up. Im going back to my roots in Massachusetts, where a lot of my family and friends live, and look forward to helping young boxers avoid some of the bad things that I experienced in the sport but help them to experience the good times, too. Boxing is brutal but also beautiful. As I look back, Im happy about my career, and my future is very bright. Go on line to www.johnthequietmanruiz.com for more information about John Ruiz.
you earned my respect ruiz. before the huggy bear jokes begin, you fought everyone, ducked no one and had a hell of a heart.
I think he is one of the guys who won´t go broke after their career. I hope he enjoys retirement and that he has success with his gym so that we can appreciate dozens of mini-Ruizes in the future. :happy
After a long career and a such a bad beating buy david haye ruiz has decided to call it a day and hang up his gloves.Respect to ruiz he was a tough guy.
I wish John all the best in his future endeavours. I wasn't a big fan of his, but cannot deny that he went out like a true warrior.
at last.....:happy.......artya Props to him for his last fight vs Haye, wish him good for the future. NEXT, Holyfield, Vitaly...??
I guess the $1.3m he got for the Haye fight secured his future. No need to battle on taking beatings.
I hated the guy for his way a 'fighting', but for me he 100% redeemed himself in the bout against Haye... Showing a tremendous heart, and kept moving forward! :good But on the other hand I'm glad he retired, because if he didn't I wouldn't be surprised if he got another shot at the WBA strap, and I think nobody besides Ruiz and King wants that to happen.
If Roy Jones was to retire tomorrow, would it be fair to say Hopkins retired him? No of course not. Ruiz has been shot for a while, and should have made this decision a long time ago. Haye simply reminded him to do it. For a definition of retiring someone, see Barrera vs Hamed.