John Ruiz, a Methuen resident and the first Latino boxer to become Heavyweight Champion, is the special guest for the 2025 All-New England Golden Gloves Championship Finals on Thursday, March 6, at the Lowell Memorial Auditorium

As an amateur, Ruiz fought in Lowell, winning the New England Golden Gloves Light Heavyweight Championship in 1992. He also won the USA Boxing National Championship and competed in the Olympic Trials. His amateur record was 50 wins with only five losses.

Ruiz, nicknamed “The Quiet Man” because of his ring demeanor, went on to a successful professional career. He fought in a total of 59-bouts, winning 30 by knock-out.

During his career, he squared off against a Who’s Who of heavyweights of that era, including James Thunder, Tony Tucker, Hasim Rahman, Fres Oquendo, Andrew Golota, James Toney, and Roy Jones, and he won the World Heavyweight Championship title from the legendary Evander Holyfield. He held the WBA Heavyweight title twice between 2001 and 2005.

John now resides in Florida, but is making the trip back to Lowell in support of the New England Golden Gloves and Lowell Sun Charities. As part of his appearance this Thursday, Ruiz will sign autographs and take pictures between 6:00 pm and 8:00 pm.