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After winning the WBA heavyweight crown two times the first Latino heavyweight champion, John “The Quiet Man“ Ruiz announced his retirement. Many people wrote him off after David Tua knocked him out in the first round, however Ruiz went on to win a title after the loss. His last fight was against David Haye, where Ruiz was knocked out in an attempt to regain his title. The former champ issued a statement below…
"I've had a great career but it's time for me to turn the page and start a new chapter of my life. It's sad that my final fight didn't work out the way I wanted“…read on for more…
but, hey, that's boxing. I'm proud of what I've 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, I'm looking forward to spending more time with my family."
"With my experiences in boxing 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," Ruiz said. "Someday, I'd 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. I've always tried to be involved in community and charity work in the past and now I'll have more time to work with kids.
"I want to thank all of my 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, attorney Tony Cardinale, my brother [and cornerman], Eddie, and [strength coach] Keith McGrath, who've been with me so long," Ruiz said. "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."
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