World champ John Ruiz opens full-contact gym in Boston area; Rodriguez-Traietti on Saturday

MEDFORD, Mass. (August 15, 2011) – Two-time World Boxing Association (“WBA”) heavyweight champion John “The Quietman” Ruiz has opened Quietman Sports Gym, inside of Gold’s Gym in Medford (4000 Mystic Valley Parkway), which is a suburb of Boston and only a few miles from where Ruiz grew-up in Chelsea.

Quietman Sports Gym is a full-contact gym, featuring a boxing ring as well as a cage for MMA, wrestling, jiu-jitsu and Muay Thai fighting. The gym also offers boxing and full-contact fighting classes, personal and semi-private instruction, self defense classes, and white collar boxing. The gym is also available for rentals on Sundays.

Ruiz is the owner and chief boxing instructor. Other instructors include John’s brother, Eddie Ruiz, and Jose “Raul” Sanchez for boxing; Miguel Rivera, MMA/Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu; Michael Matulonis, kickboxing; Rich Bloom, wrestling; NiccKossivas, Muay Thai/MMA striking.

“I grew up in this area and wanted to return to my roots in order to give back to these communities,” Ruiz explained. “I’m very close to my family and friends I have back here, so this is also an opportunity for me to spend more time with them. I believe a gym like this helps communities and children. Our goal is to create a gym that develops Olympians, but also give kids a place to go, just like I had at the Somerville Boxing Club, where they stay off the streets and learn how to box, wrestle or mixed martial arts training. There are so many bad temptations today for kids and many of them really need a place to go. We want to help them develop self-esteem and character.”

Future plans call for Quietman Sports Gym to become a sanctioned USA Boxing gym. Ruiz also wants to become a boxing and MMA promoter – professional and amateur – and he has already started a boxing consulting agency, Quietman Sports, along with his longtime attorney and advisor, Boston Attorney Anthony M. Cardinale.

“I was able to see the world because of boxing and I want to help kids do the same as part of our future ‘Quietman’ traveling team,” John added. “I’ve been fortunate to have had so many memorable times through boxing and I really want to pass along those experiences and what I’ve learned.”

The 39-year-old Ruiz, who lives in Las Vegas, retired from the ring a year ago. He had a 44-9-1 (30 KOs) career record and fought in 12 world title fights.

Quietman Sports Gym offers active military personal, as well as police officers and fire fighters, discount memberships.

Hours of operations for Quietman Sports Gym are Monday-Thursday, 11 AM/ET-9 PM/ET; Friday 1 AM/ET-8 PM/ET; Saturday 9 AM/ET-2 PMN/ET (closed Sunday).

For more information about the Quietman Sports Gym, call 781.396.6700, go online to www.JohnTheQuietmanRuiz.com or WWW.Quietmansports.com, or on Facebook at John Quietman Ruiz.

Edwin Rodriguez vs. Chris Traietti on August 20

WORCESTER, Mass. (August 15, 2011) – Boxing is like chess for unbeaten Edwin “La Bomba” Rodriguez. The 26-year-old Dominican Republic native, considered by many as the premier super middleweight prospect in the world, returns home Saturday night (Aug. 20) to headline a special edition of Broadway Boxing, presented by DiBella Entertainment, against intra-state rival and Iraq War veteran Chris Traietti (10-2, 6 KOs) at historic Mechanics Hall in Worcester (MA).

Rodriguez is a talented chess player who also has some great moves in the ring. “Chess and boxing are similar because you have to think of your moves ahead,” Rodriguez explained. “They’re both fast-paced. You have to be able to know your next move and do it fast. I love chess. You need to know what your next move is in a second and go for it. If your strategy isn’t working, like in boxing, you need to adjust by reacting quickly. Sometimes you set-up a move – I may sacrifice my horse, but I’m really baiting you, and you react to find yourself in a checkmate position. Checkmate is the knockout punch.”

The Lou DiBella-promoted Rodriguez (18-0, 13 KOs), reigning WBC USNBC title-holder, is presently rated among the top 13 by all major governing bodies in professional boxing: International Boxing Federation (#8), World Boxing Association (#9), World Boxing Council (#12) and World Boxing Organization (#13).

“Edwin’s always loved chess,” Rodriguez’ manager Larry Army added. “Because of that we’ve had a saying, ‘you’re playing chess and they’re all playing checkers.’His mind works like that in the ring, quickly reacting to his opponent’s move, and that’s why he’s been so successful.”

Rodriguez is an avid on-line chess player. If you’d like a chance to play Edwin in a game of chess, join-up for his free newsletter (go to www.edwinrodriguezboxing.com) and challenge him. Edwin will select a few opponents to play.

Edwin started boxing in 2001 and he developed into one of the top amateurs in the United States, compiling a solid 84-9 record that included gold-medal performances in the 2005 USA Boxing National Championships and 2006 U.S. National Golden Gloves Tournament. Rodriguez, who has dual citizenship in the U.S. and Dominican Republic, became the first Massachusetts boxer to win the middleweight title at the Nationals since “Marvelous”Marvin Hagler in 1973.

TheBroadway Boxing co-feature showcases the return of former WBA junior middleweight champion Joachim Alcine (32-2, 19 KOs) vs. upset specialist Jose “Stinger” Medina (14-9-2, 6 KOs), also from Quincy. Also seeing action are two other boxers from Traietti’s hometown of Quincy – Rodriguez’ stable-mate junior lightweight Ryan “The Polish Prince”Kielczewski (10-0, 2 KOs) vs. James Lester (9-5, 4 KOs), and Gabriel Duluc (1-0, 1 KO) vs. Springfield (MA) junior welterweight Noel Garcia. Also scheduled to be in action are popular, female heavyweight Sonya “The Scholar” Lamonakis (5-0, 1 KO), fighting out of New York City, vs. Tiffany Woodard (4-4, 3 KOs); unbeaten Louisiana heavyweight prospect Kelvin Price(10-0, 6 KO) vs. Joseph Rabotte, and New Haven super bantamweight Luis “The KO King” Rosa (7-0, 5 KOs) vs. Shawn “Bones” Nichols (5-6, 5 KOs). All fights and fighters are subject to change.

Tickets for Broadway Boxing are on sale now through DiBella Entertainment, and start at only $35. Main Floor tickets are priced at $55, $75, and $125. Rear Balcony tickets are $35 and $75. Tables for groups of 10 are priced at $1,000. Tickets can be purchased by calling DiBella Entertainment: (212) 947-2577, and more information can be obtained by visiting www.dbe1.com.

Doors open at 6 PM/ET with the first bout slated for 7 PM/ET.

Go online to www.edwinrodriguezboxing.comor www.dbe1.com for more information about Rodriguez or the Aug. 20 Broadway Boxing show.