Following my dream…

On the road towards my dream of becoming world heavyweight champion, I’m looking in the rearview mirror, seeing the loss of contact I’ve had with some friends and family.

I look to my right and left, but the windows are darkened. My hand-picked team has controlled me, isolating me from family and friends who were trying to reach out to me.

Now, though, I’m able to see much more clearly because my mother, Gladys, brothers – Eddie and Robert -- and sister, Jackie, became involved in my boxing career and covered my back. I’m so thankful that they stuck with me despite others trying to push them away. They woke me up. I was in sleep mode, focusing on just winning the title, but my family opened my eyes to what was going on. They all warned me about what they had heard and seen; how I had been manipulated by others who were supposed to be looking out for my best interests.

I’m able to see past the blocked view, no longer controlled by outside sources that pushed away everyone close to me. Today, I am my own person, happy with my life.

Unfortunately, I recently found out that one of my childhood friends had passed away. His name was Lorenzo. We hung out together on Chester and Lynn Streets in Chelsea with Benjamin and other kids in our neighborhood. We’d play kickball, stickball, wiffle-ball or just hung out at one of our houses.

The saddest part of the story is Lorenzo died at such a young age, over a year ago, and I didn’t even know about it until now. I guess things like that happen when you lose touch with childhood friends, moving away from your old stomping grounds to improve you and your family’s life, while working hard to pursue your dreams. I’ve learned that the road I’ve traveled has often been lonely.

I’ve lost a friend that I never really had a chance to get to know, along with other friends and family members who have passed. I truly miss Victor Cox, Ralph and Ralph, Jr., Bobby Tomasello and other friends. I especially miss my dad, Bienvenido, who I didn’t really get to know because midway through my career he died when I was training for a fight. This was before I won the world title. I was boxing year round and didn’t have too much money, not enough to travel to Puerto Rico where my father lived. I won a few road races in Boston and the prize was a trip to Puerto Rico, which was the last time, unfortunately, I saw my father.

I would have loved to get to know my father better. His grandchildren never had a chance to meet him. I wish he was still living after I won the world title and became the first Latino to ever do that. I have visited my mother and other relatives who live there many times since winning the world title. I am fortunate to now be able to freely travel with my wife, Maribelle, and children – John, Jocelyn and Joaquin.

Things happen for a reason and now, I’m searching for answers. Rest In Peace to all of my good friends and family who I miss and love. May they be as happy as their friendships have made me feel.

John "The Quietman" Ruiz