LOWELL >> The ovation Mike Tyson received when he walked into the ring in 2022 may have shook the Lowell Memorial Auditorium off its foundation.

A year later, James “Buster” Douglas, the man who famously defeated Tyson on Feb. 11, 1990 in one of boxing’s greatest upsets, also made an appearance in Lowell at the Golden Gloves.

Now another former heavyweight boxing champion has agreed to grace Mill City boxing fans with his presence.

Chelsea native John Ruiz, now 53 and living in Florida, will attend the final night of the 2025 nine-week Golden Gloves run on Thursday, March 6 in support of the New England Golden Gloves and the Lowell Sun Charities.

The night will feature the New England Golden Gloves championship finals. Winners will go to nationals.

Ruiz sported a 44-9-1-1 record with 30 knockouts and twice held the WBA heavyweight belt from 2001-05. He started off his career 14-0 and 11 of his first 14 fights were held in Massachusetts.

As a amateur boxer, Ruiz fought at the Lowell Memorial Auditorium and claimed the New England Golden Gloves light heavyweight title. He also won the USA Boxing national championship and competed in the Olympic Trials. His amateur record was 50-5.

He was the first Latino world heavyweight champion and was proud of his Chelsea blue-collar roots.

Ruiz fought the likes of Tony Tucker, Hasim Rahman, Fres Oquendo, Andrew Golota, James Toney and Roy Jones, and won the world heavyweight championship title from the legendary Evander Holyfield.

On March 6, Ruiz will sign autographs and pose for pictures between 6-8 p.m., adding to what should be a great night of boxing in Lowell.

In 2014, boxing.com ranked Ruiz No. 83 on the list of the “The 100 Greatest Heavyweights of All Time.”