The newly crowned world heavyweight champion Andy Ruiz Jr. (33-1) was welcomed in Mexico like a real-life superhero.
“Destroyer” is born in the US, but he refers to himself as “The first Mexican Heavyweight Champion of the World”. The 29-years-old boxer arrived at the National Palace of Mexico for a guided tour and a meeting with the President of the country, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador.
“I am happy. A year ago I wanted to leave boxing. I had no money, but I did not want to live on the street,” Ruiz said of his situation.
“I was doing bad things with friends. Doing things where my dad had to look for me in their homes and take me to train. But boxing helped me not to be in the streets or in bad areas. I am what I am thanks to boxing and my dad.
“I told my mom that we were not going to fight anymore. I told her that I was going to give her everything. That I am going to pay for everything, buy her a new car. Thank God everything changed.”
The WBA “Super”, WBO and IBF champion said that he has his eyes on unifying the division.
“First I must do the rematch with Joshua. Wilder is a good fighter, he hits hard. But step by step. One fight after another,” Ruiz said.
