New Boxing Champ Andy Ruiz Jr. Brings His Native Imperial Valley Into Focus
Hometown pride and national attention descends on an often-overlooked community.
-
CategoryArts + Culture
When native son Andy Ruiz Jr. defeated heavyweight champ Anthony Joshua at Madison Square Garden, the 29 year old became the first fighter of Mexican decent to hold a belt in the sport’s prestige division. He also brought a renewed sense of pride to his Imperial Valley home. Honored with a parade and a rally, it’s the first time in years the region east of Los Angeles and San Diego and north of the Mexican border received so much attention and fanfare.
According to the L.A. Times, “Ruiz’s Mexican heritage and improbable rise—a high school dropout, he got the fight against Joshua with only four weeks’ notice after the original opponent failed a drug test—have been the main story lines chronicled by the national and international press. They’re important to valley residents, of course.
“But many around here want outsiders—and that includes other Californians—to consider something else they say Ruiz personifies: the hard knocks in which Imperial Mexicans not only endure but thrive.”
You can read more about the Imperial Valley’s Mexican heritage and Ruiz’s victorious homecoming here.
We’re Watching These 5 Competitors at This Weekends U.S. Open of Surfing
These surfing stars will be riding the waves in Southern California this July as they compete for the top spot.
Meet Earth Medicine, a New Hermosa Beach-Based CBD Company
With their physician-backed products, the startup company looks to impact the South Bay’s local market and beyond.
A Carlsbad Speakeasy That Opened and Closed on One Night, Pours Again
But you’ll need a password to get in.
