JOHN "THE QUIETMAN" RUIZ

Another one bites the dust…..

Chris Arreola is the latest over-hyped American heavyweight to fall short of all the hype provided by the networks and bought into by that the media and fans alike.

Arreola is a knockout artist with a great story, trying to become the first world heavyweight champion of Mexican decent, and the second Latino to be the world heavyweight title holder.

It was a tremendous thrill for me to become the first - and still the only -- world heavyweight champion of Latino decent. I’m honored to be the first because I’m so proud of my Puerto Rican-American heritage.

It’s too bad Arreola was pushed so fast. He wasn’t ready, nor did he do anything deserving to be in a title fight against Vitali Klitschko. You have to get inside to beat Klitschko and Chris never got close. Unfortunately, he was nothing more than a punching bag on national television.

Everybody was talking about Arreola being the next great American heavyweight, but he fell short of the hype like so many before him.

I’ve been around and proven myself many times. Critics still take shots at me, but I’m still in the title picture as the WBA mandatory challenger while others who’ve been hyped-up so much have fallen short. I’ve never ducked an opponent, always fulfilled my obligations as champion, and I will be a 3-time world champion sometime next year.

All of the publicity Arreola received got him a title shot and a big payday. Fighters respond to adversity different ways. Now it’s time to see if he’s a legitimate contender or nothing but hype. Arreola seems like a good guy and I wish him nothing but the best.

John "The Quietman" Ruiz