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Highlands Today

Going The Distance

Jasmina Meyer/Highlands Today

Sebring's Angel Ruiz Jr., 10, is undefeated in his young career thanks in part to the knowledge and work ethic passed down to him from his father.

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By Christopher  Hoffman | Highlands Today

Published: June 23, 2008

SEBRING –– The unmistakable sound of leather meeting leather reverberated through the makeshift gym in the Ruiz family garage, as 10-year old Angel Ruiz Jr. pounded the double-end bag with deadly accuracy.

Sweat beaded on the brow of the younger Ruiz, as Angel Ruiz Sr. navigated his son through his workout, moving from double-end bag to snapping punches into punch mitts.

Jab, jab, uppercut, then step back.

The 10-year old hears the instructions and his punches come crisp and on command without hesitation, and those bombs continue for three minutes until the bell rings to signal his rest period.

This is Ruiz Jr.'s daily regimen, which includes workouts and road work, like running eight blocks around his Sun 'N Lake neighborhood.

Displayed on the wall of the garage are pictures of him with fighters such as Hector Camacho Jr., recently crowned WBC welterweight champion Andre Berto of Winter Haven and boxing legend Felix Trinidad.

"I want to be just like them when I grow up," Ruiz Jr. said. "I want to be a champion."

Ruiz Jr., a southpaw, has been impressive since climbing into the ring in February, as he's amassed a 7-0 record and numerous tournament titles.

Ruiz Sr. has seen his son's passion for the sport grow since his days coming to work with him at an Orlando gym where senior was an trainer.

"He's been wanting to fight for a long time," Ruiz Sr. said. "He used to see me work with other fighters and ask me if I'd work with him. I started teaching him a few things and other fighters told me that he was a natural."

But the youngster was forced to wait until he turned 10 and kept his grades up before stepping into the ring.

Ruiz Jr. made it official in February when he became an amateur boxer by entering and winning the Omega Zone Warriors tournament in Eustis.

The title run, however, wasn't without its share of butterflies before the opening bell.

"I was nervous before my first fight," Ruiz Jr. said. "But once the bell rang, and I started throwing punches, that quickly went away."

The piston-like style that Ruiz Jr. exhibits is tailor-made for the amateur ranks that put a premium on points instead of knockout power, as he is constantly throwing punches with precision and moving his head to avoid his opponent's counter shots.

"You watch him and he doesn't fight like a lot of the other kids his age," Ruiz Sr. said. "He isn't wild with his punches and never backs down. Most of the kids he has fought have been much taller and bigger than him, but he still keeps coming forward."

With amateur rounds for his age group set at 1 1/2 minutes, Ruiz Sr. trains his son like a professional fighter with the young southpaw running through five three-minute rounds of training to improve his stamina.

"The last thing you want to do is run out of gas when you're in the ring," Ruiz Sr. said. "That's where he has an advantage over a lot of his opponents –– his stamina.

"We don't let him take any shortcuts."

Ruiz Sr. says that working out in the garage with the humidity is key in building his son's work ethic and tolerance to the elements.

"Training in the gym helps him deal with the heat," Ruiz Sr. said. "When he trains in a real gym with the air conditioning, it almost feels like vacation for him and fights are not always fought indoors. You have to be ready to fight in all conditions."

Boxing is something that's been in the family since "Little Ang" –– a name given by his family –– was born.

Ruiz Sr. was an amateur boxer who started around his son's age and fought until he was 15 before retiring from competition and becoming a licensed boxing trainer and referee.

Now 33, Ruiz Sr. is passing his vast boxing knowledge down to his son, who is all too happy to receive the boxing torch.

"My dad has really been my driving force, but he never forced me to want to fight," Ruiz Jr. said. "He's always there to work with me and pushes me when sometimes I feel too tired to train. I love working out and going to the gym and sparring."

Ruiz Sr. and Jr. travel to Tigers Gym in Winter Haven to spar with other kids his age and work in a real boxing environment. Hanging out in gyms has given Ruiz Jr. a chance to brush shoulders with champions of the sport and the Sebring youth never misses a chance to talk boxing with a champion.

One such encounter with Trindad at a gym in Orlando last year gave Ruiz Jr. a pellet of boxing knowledge that he's used in the ring to much success.

"Felix taught me how to fight bigger and taller fighters," Ruiz Jr. said. "He showed me how to get inside and I used that in a couple of my fights already, and it works."

Boxing may be on the pedestal in Ruiz Jr.'s life right now, but his father makes sure that his son has a well-rounded childhood and not miss out on the magic of being a kid.

"He does everything that any other kid does," Ruiz Sr. said. "He plays baseball and just started taking golf lessons. I don't want him to miss out on anything, but he always comes back to the gym.

"We don't have to push him to work out because he's out here everyday whether I tell him or not."

Talking about his favorite fighters, Ruiz Jr. has the knowledge of a seasoned fight fan.

"I love watching fights of Muhammad Ali and Felix Trinidad," Ruiz Jr. said. "Ali's style was so amazing and many fighters try to copy it, but you have to grow into your own fighter.

"I learn from watching fights but I want to be me in the ring."

With continued improvement, Ruiz Jr. has his sights set on competing in the Junior Golden Gloves when he's 15 and one day fighting for a spot on the USA Olympic Boxing team.

"I want to take boxing as far as I can," Ruiz Jr. "I'd love to be an Olympic champion and then one day a world champion.

"But it all starts in this garage."

Ruiz Jr. is set to climb back in the ring when he'll compete at the Platinum Gloves tournament in Orlando beginning July 4.

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