Boxing
Train, get in shape, don’t fight – the Andy Ruiz Jr. model
Andy Ruiz Jr looks fit again, but we’ve heard this story before.
The former unified heavyweight champion posted photos showing his improvement in fitness, along with a message about overcoming adversity.
“Chase your dreams that you want so badly. Even if there are roller coasters or bumps in the road, keep pushing and have faith. Your dreams will come true. This message is for you and me.”
Andy Ruiz Jr sends a message
This week’s social media post indicates a renewed focus on the team, something Ruiz has repeatedly hinted at over the past few years. It is also based on a well-known pattern.
Ruiz had already shown signs of returning to form, but the momentum stalled before he reached the ring.
Every update starts with a promise. Too often it ends with no fight announced or any real next step.
World Boxing News has followed this pattern closely, from his reunion with Manny Robles to the ongoing uncertainty about what will happen next.
The return to Robles was supposed to be a reset – a return to the structure that carried him to a career-defining victory over Anthony Joshua. It hasn’t produced anything yet.
Robles admitted earlier this year that working with Ruiz was hard, pointing directly to the lack of consistency that continues to hold him back.
These concerns now appear with every update. Ruiz did not engage with Robles during the session he posted, but was observable in a video posted a miniature time later.
Three fights in seven years
Since losing his titles in a rematch with Joshua, Ruiz has fought just three times in seven years.
Victories over Chris Arreola and Luis Ortiz and then a draw against Jarrell Miller represent minimal gain for a fighter of his profile and skill set.
For a former unified champion still in his prime, this level of inactivity is extraordinary.
Ruiz’s latest message points to another rebuilding attempt – something that has been suggested before. Given history, it also looks like another false dawn.
Noticeable progress, positive words and no movement where it matters. At this stage, Ruiz repeats the same pattern without moving forward.
There is still no opponent, no schedule and no clear sign that anything has changed. It’s tough to see the difference this time.
Even his absence from recent heavyweight events raises further questions about where he fits.
Tyson Fury, Oleksandr Usyk and a trilogy with Anthony Joshua are out of reach due to Ruiz’s lack of commitment to the title chase.
Time becomes history
Now every Ruiz update comes with the same problem – time. The gap between intention and action continues to widen.
Any period of inactivity makes it harder to treat these moments as part of a true comeback.
Ruiz remains one of the most naturally gifted heavyweights of his era. He can cause trouble for anyone in the evening if he can find the attitude that got him to the top.
Too often the effort feels forced – it’s more about maintaining the comeback image than fully committing to it.
If that doesn’t change, there’s a risk his career will drift away from significant contention.
Boxing doesn’t wait – and rarely forgives wasted time. Without a decisive return to the ring, Ruiz risks seeing a chance to regain her footing without him.
At this point, the path forward may look very different, with exhibition opportunities or one-off events replacing any realistic pursuit of another world title.
For now, Ruiz has shown he can return to form, but until that answer appears in the ring, every update may sound exactly the same.
About the author Phil Jay is the editor-in-chief of World Boxing News (WBN) and a boxing veteran with over 15 years of experience. Read the full biography.
Boxing
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LIVE COVERAGE
World Boxing News provides live results and updates from George Liddard’s European middleweight title clash with Dario Morello at the Copper Box Arena in London.
The undefeated Liddard faces the biggest test of his career against experienced Italian Morello, with the vacant European middleweight championship on the line.
Three other vacant titles will be decided on the card as Jimmy Sains, Emmanuel Buttigieg and Tiah Mai Ayton attempt to take the next step in their careers.
Live Scorecard –George Liddard vs. Dario Morello
Live Results
Times are local BST
19:45
Tiah Mai Ayton won the vacant Commonwealth featherweight title in a solid display against Ellie Hellewell. The Hellewell corner called off the fight after six completed rounds as Ayton made it seven straight wins as a pro and pushed towards world honors.
18:52
Connor Mitchell gets four useful rounds under his belt with a 39-37 points victory over Caine Singh.
Singh made him work for it, but the all-action Mitchell did enough to get his hand raised.
18:16
Louie Ward moved to 3-0 with a dominant performance, stopping Jon Martinez in the third round.
Ward was in control throughout before forcing the finish to secure another impressive victory.
17:42
Ioan Croft dropped Tomas Reynoso early on before seeing out a sixth round victory. The referee waved the fight off with just over a minute left of the round.
17:10
Harley Burrows opened the show with a first round stoppage of Carlos Ronner. Burrows pinned Ronner on the ropes and waded in until the referee halted the contest.
TV Coverage and Remaining Bouts
United Kingdom: DAZN
- George Liddard vs. Dario Morello – Vacant European Middleweight Title (12)
- Jimmy Sains vs. Tom Cowling – Vacant Commonwealth Middleweight Title (12)
- Emmanuel Buttigieg vs. P A Gordon – Vacant English Middleweight Title (10)
Preview
Liddard enters his first European title fight with a perfect 14-0 record as the 24-year-old attempts to continue his rapid rise through the middleweight division.
Morello brings considerably more experience at 26-1 and arrives in London undefeated since 2019.
The event takes place at the Copper Box Arena in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing promoting the card.
About the Author
Phil Jay is the Editor-in-Chief of World Boxing News (WBN), a BWAA-acknowledged boxing news website founded in 2010. A veteran boxing reporter with 16 years of experience, he has interviewed world champions, broken international exclusives, and reported ringside from major events. His work is published worldwide through WBN and distributed on platforms including Apple News.
Read Phil Jay’s full bio and latest stories.
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