Boxing champ Andy Ruiz Jr shares secret to his success
Boxing’s new champion, Andy Ruiz, Jr., said success is about who’s behind you, not who’s in front of you, giving credit to his family for his victory, during Friday’s press conference in Imperial, in preparation for Saturday’s parade and rally.
” My dad’s always been behind me. When I didn’t want to go train, he would make me go train. I think if it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t be in this position where I’m at right now, ” Ruiz said.
He said his family believed in him. His father, Andres Ruiz, Sr., and other family members sat next to him during the conference which drew media regionally.
” I always had a dream that he was going to make it to the top of the world, because he was a kid so strong. When he was twelve years old, he was fighting with twenty-years-old persons, grown men, ” Ruiz Sr. said.
The champion’s small hometown of Imperial is celebrating his achievement: four world titles and the defeat of British champion Anthony Joshua on the night of his U.S. debut.
” To this day, I’m still pinching myself to see if this is real. This is a dream come true that I’ve been dreaming since I was six years old, when I first went to a boxing gym, ” Ruiz said.
It was a brutal fight with both fighters going down – Ruiz one time – Joshua four times.
” But once I seen him fall, i was just like, whoa! This is my opportunity. This is my chance. I still have this opportunity to win! ” Ruiz said.
Ruiz said his win was not just a lucky night, but the result of hard work.
” I was hungry. I was mentally focused for that fight. I did not want to lose in front of my family or get beat up in front of my family, ” Ruiz said.
City and county officials believe Ruiz’s success will bring positive attention to the area.
County Supervisor Michael Kelley, District 3, said, “May institute some interest in imperial county from the respective of economical growth and we will welcome that with open arms.”
Ruiz is proud of what he did immediately after his big win – and this shows what kind of a champ he is.
“I bought my mom a car, because I messed up a lot of her cars when I was young,” Ruiz said.
The parade and rally are on Saturday morning, starting at 8:00 a.m. from the police station on Imperial Street, going down to Barioni and west to Imperial High School.
