Photos: Víctor Planas/WBO
The World Boxing Organization (WBO), headed by President Francisco “Paco” Valcarcel, honored unified WBO heavyweight champion in Andy Ruiz Jr. for his historic win over Anthony Joshua with a majestic commemorative belt featuring the words First Mexican Heavyweight Champion emblazoned across the front.
In an emotional moment, former WBO champions Miguel Cotto and Ivan Calderon made the presentation.
Andy Ruiz Jr.
“Thank you so much to everyone who is supporting me and came here to say hello and to share. To the WBO, thank you for a wonderful, really nice belt. I fought a lot from a young age to be a world champion, also with a lot of sacrifice, a lot of training. Many people think I don’t train hard, but I train very hard and I have a lot of desire. I’m very happy, making history, being the first Mexican heavyweight champion.
“It’s a dream I’ve always wanted since I was a kid, and now that I’ve done it I feel blessed. Thank God for everything and now we’re on vacation here in Puerto Rico enjoy it with the family thanks to Paco (Valcárcel) and then be ready for the rematch with Joshua. I’m still hungry to have those belts. This is all a dream and thank you to all the Latinos who support me. Thank you all!”
Francisco “Paco” Valcarcel
“We are here to pay a well-deserved tribute to Andy Ruiz, Jr. When he fought in Macao, I remember that I saw this chubby guy and mentioned it to his promoter Bob Arum at that time and he told me that Andy moves like a featherweight. Andy won that fight three or four rounds and after the fight, Andy was very happy to win our NABO title. That was his first title in boxing. Andy always told me very confidently he would be WBO champion.
“I noticed that in the fight against Joshua, Andy was very calm and relaxed in the dressing room. He was incredibly confident until he finally got the victory. I was very happy for his victory because we are Latino brothers and he finally made history. Andy is a wonderful person, if you know him you become fond of him quickly. I know much of Andy’s story. It has been a wonderful story of which we have been part and we thank you for that because there are things that only happen once.
“I believe that if anyone was deserving to be the first Mexican heavyweight world champion, it’s you because of the quality of a human being you are. You’re a great motivation for a lot of people.”
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If he’s “Mexican”, he’s living in the WRONG country!
Enough is enough!
Either you’re an American or you’re Mexican, you CAN NOT be BOTH!
“Very happy for his victory because we are Latino brothers”
THAT, is a RACIST statement! He should be shunned and called out for his bigotry.
I can’t imagine a white person, head of a boxing organization, honoring a white boxer and saying a similar thing, he’d be immediately vilified and labeled a “racist” .
Dude, let this go! you sound ignorant and racist toward your own people… Toma una aspirina para el dolor de culo….
Who is it that you consider “my” people?
I make my own decision and come to my own conclusions based on critical thought and independent thinking, I owe no allegiance to anybody simply because we share an ethnicity, nationality, religion, girlfriend, toothbrush or whatever! That’s a truly ignorant and racist way of thinking.
I don’t care who you are or where you come from, if I think your wrong I’m going to call you out it.
Seriously though what was “racist” about his statement? Is he kind of posing? YES! but he ain’t racist.
yeah yeah yeah he ain’t Mexican he’s American but consider that he is a 1st generation American in his family. he was brought up to love his culture (typical as the son of immigrants) and to never let go of where he came from, so let the fat kid eat his cake.
We all know he is gonna lose the rematch, or his next fight against a credible opponent so let the make have his 15 minutes of fame and enjoy it. he worked hard for it. lol.
I’d settle for at least an acknowledgment or some expression of gratitude towards his birth country and what this country has bestowed upon him.
Imagine what would become of a Mexican citizen born to immigrants to Mexico if he’d the gall to say and do what Ruiz has said and done?
Imagine a Mexican boxer born to, say, Haitian parents in Mexico flying the Haitian flag and pledging loyalty to Haiti prior to his fights?
Knowing the intolerance and prejudices of most Mexicans, I’d say he be ostracized, insulted and probably worse!
No one can argue that his pro-Mexican posture is contradictory to him living in the United States.
Juan Valdez you are fulla shit bro …pinche mexicano o latino que se cree gringo pendejo !!!
Guess what Ricardo, if you or your family MIGRATED to the United States……..then YOU and YOUR FAMILY WANTED TO BECOME OR BE A “GRINGO”!
I’m not a gringo, I AM A PATRIOTIC AMERICAN!
If that bothers you, then YOU ARE the one with a PROBLEM!
Happy 4th of July!!!!!!
Why did I know “Juan Valdez” was going to throw one of his temper tantrums upon mentioning Ruiz as a “Mexican”.. LOL, Dude you need to find a hobby or something, get over it already I’m 1st generation Irish born here in great USA, but if I’d been champion I’d be proud to say I’m the first Irish heavyweight champion,, no biggie! Would you criticize me if I said that? No you wouldn’t you would look the other way but because he’s Mexican you throw one of your childish rages. I bet you are not even of Hispanic heritage you are probably white like I am and get off on pretending to be Hispanic. Get a life dude.
If there were MILLIONS upon MILLIONS upon MILLIONS of immigrant or first generation Irishmen constantly yelping about their ethnic and national “pride ” and demonstrating their patriotism and loyalty to a foreign land while enjoying the benefits offered by THIS country, while living in THIS country…..I’d say and think the same thing!
Such ingratitude and disloyalty does nothing but contributes to and fosters ethnic divisiveness, its a danger to our cohesiveness as a nation!
Where the hell do you get off questioning my “Hispanic-ness”, you don’t know me yet based on your comment I know you enough to question your loyalty to both the United States and Ireland.
What you’re implying is that, in your eyes, in order to be a “good” Latino you must approve, support and think like ALL Latinos regardless simply because you’re also Latino.
Such thought make you a racist!
I have to agree with Valdez. Ive got Irish friends and they hate it when someone says their Irish American. Your only Irish if your born in Ireland.
We are going to deport you back to Ireland Scott..You got papers??
What about John Ruiz? What was he?
I think John Ruiz was Puerto Rican.
he a mexiforniacan
Dear “Juan”- AKA John Smith.
Why are you so angry sunshine? Such a bitter angry soul. It’s not worth getting your panties into a bunch the way you do. Please please get a hobby already you are taking this too serous. Ruiz is just enjoying his time let him enjoy his reign. Life is too short to be feisty like you are, but I get it, my woman is exactly like you.
I’m angry because my community in Texas has become an ancillary of Mexico thanks to tens of thousands of recent immigrants who refuse to assimilate and remain loyal to their failed homeland.
Spanish is the primary language, first generation or naturalized elected politicians and community leaders hypocritically praise and preach the greatness of Mexico while savagely criticizing the U.S and ostracizing Americans, Mexican flags fly in schools, homes and businesses, corruption is widespread, Mexican politicians fleeing the country they govern exert undue influence over OUR local policies, etc..its dangerous. I find myself a stranger in my own homeland!
Ruiz has every right to enjoy his moment, he’s earned it however there is NO need for his divisive one sided allegiance to a foreign land which has given him nothing.
on another note looks like Ruiz is losing weight
I believe you can be a dual US / Mexico citizen (I don’t know if Ruiz is), and that US born children of Mexican citizens have a right to Mexican citizenship through their parents. There is no reason why a person (Ruiz, at least) can’t have love/appreciation for/pride in two countries…
bozo you right thanks
He’s NOT showing love/appreciation or pride for two countries, only ONE….and it isn’t his birth country or the country where he lives and gave his family safety, opportunities and rights far greater than Mexico!
all bs shit boxer. they all will not even do one rounds with the young mike Tyson or ali
AJ will KO this Mexi…Ameri err uh, what ever.
I was born in New York to Puertorican parents, married to a Mexican, two children born in New York ,Both married to a Filipina and an Irish-Scotish-Swedish man . I have five grandchildren ,all very proud to be Latinos,Hispanic,Non-white,white and Amercians, We are very proud of Andy Ruiz Jr. who we feel is our CHAMP. I am an US Army vet and very proud to be A Puerto Rican. I identify with our champ and feel he represents what being a proud Mexican and a proud citizen of the United States is. From The tip of Argentina to North Canada we are all Americans.
Welcome to the American experience!
Thank you for your service, I’m also a veteran.
Your history and life experiences are nothing new or special, E Pluribus Unum!
WHAT do you mean by “our champ”? His personal accomplishments have nothing to do with me, they’re his and his alone. Mexican citizens make up the overwhelming majority of drug crime arrests in my city, does than mean that every Mexican is a drug dealer? Of course not!
And again, if he’s a “proud Mexican” he’s living in the wrong country, he should reside in the country he identifies with. You CAN NOT be a proud Mexican but reside in another nation! It’s contradictory and hypocritical.
Not much pride in fleeing a country and putting the burden for your needs on another society/people because your own was lacking, corrupt, indifferent and unresponsive!
The United States of America is the only country in the America’s with the title “America” in her name! There’s a YUUUGE SIGNIFICANT difference between the United States and EVERY other country in North, Central and South America, we are NOT all the same, with with the exception of Canada.