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The long-awaited return of Andy Ruiz Jr.

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Andy Ruiz

ANDY Ruiz Jr will return to the ring on August 3rd against Jarrell Miller after nearly two years of inactivity. Before the fight was announced, there were questions about whether Ruiz would fight again. While Turki Alalshikh has established his authority by producing a production line of phenomenal heavyweight fights, Ruiz has been nowhere to be seen.

In addition to the undisputed Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk fight, heavyweight fights like Frank Sanchez vs. Agit Kabayel, Joseph Parker vs. Deontay Wilder, and Anthony Joshua vs. Francis Ngannou represented a modern era in boxing. An era where the best of the huge boys regularly fought each other, either in the main event or as part of a loaded preliminary card.

With unbeaten records, interim world titles on the line, and life-changing prize money, there has probably never been a better time to stay energetic. His Excellency is well on his way to monopolizing the sport, uniting rival promoters while he sits atop the stage and watches the entertainment like an emperor in the Roman Coliseum.

One can only wonder, though, where Ruiz has been since this metamorphosis of boxing began. It’s been more than five years since “The Destroyer” shattered fans’ sense of reality when he knocked out Anthony Joshua (see below) to become the first Mexican-American heavyweight champion of all time. And it’s been almost five years since Ruiz relinquished his status as unified heavyweight champion of the world in a rematch with Joshua in Saudi Arabia.

His upcoming fight with Miller will be the first time Ruiz has returned to the Middle East since that tragic defeat. It’s as if the ghost of that defeat has kept Ruiz at bay, fearing a repeat. One that could spell the end of a very successful career. But with his sights set on becoming a two-time world champion, Ruiz has decided to face his demons.

In a recent interview with Chris Mannix, Ruiz admitted to having issues with discipline. He candidly confessed that he loved the party life after beating Joshua. It’s a habit that’s not uncommon for elite boxers, especially once they achieve their ultimate goal and the gold medal syndrome sets in, in addition to the often momentary adulation from those around them that would demotivate most.

What’s more, your life outside the ring is more perceptible when you have a physique like Ruiz’s, which has been the talk of the town since he made his pro debut in 2009. The average boxing fan would dismiss Ruiz until they saw him in the ring and appreciated his lightning-fast hands, exceptional counter-punching skills with his front foot, and his ability to deliver devastating knockouts.

In 2021, Ruiz decided to drop a few pounds. He weighed 256 pounds against Chris Arreola, almost 30 pounds less than in the rematch with Joshua. However, Ruiz’s punch resistance seemed to suffer due to the weight loss, and he was dropped in the second round before rebounding to win a points decision.

The mediocre performance proved to be the validation Ruiz needed to stop cutting weight, and in his last fight against Luis Ortiz in September 2022, he came in at 268 and three-quarter pounds. Ruiz knocked Ortiz down twice, but the victory was narrow, with scores of 114-111, 113-112, and 114-111 in his favor.

Miller, however, is expected to be the first opponent to have a significant weight advantage over Ruiz. “Gigantic Baby” came in at 333 pounds when he fought Daniel Dubois, and it’s likely he’ll top 300 again. Despite being stopped by Dubois, Miller’s work rate was impressive for a man his size, and the question remains how Ruiz will handle the pressure.

Daniel Dubois breaks the will of Jarrell Miller during their heavyweight fight at the Kingdom Arena on December 23, 2023 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (Richard Pelham/Getty Images)

Indeed, Ruiz’s return is another opportunity to turn his career around. Ruiz, now 34 and turning 35 in September, has already made history by becoming the first Mexican heavyweight champion. Although some argue that he has yet to reach his full potential for the talent he possesses, a dominant win over Miller could be the catalyst Ruiz needs to return to heavyweight.

With Turki in the mix, there’s no shortage of lucrative fights on the horizon, including a potential rematch with Joseph Parker. But Ruiz needs to show he’s still motivated to get back on top.

History has shown that heavyweights tend to stay in peak condition for longer than lightweights, and many legends have continued to compete at a high level into their 30s and even 40s. However, there comes a point where ring rust and biology take their toll.

The bookmakers are heavily favoring Ruiz to fight Miller. But when the bell rings in the first round, the boxing world will officially know whether they are welcoming back a prodigal son who went astray but belongs in the heavyweight elite. Or a shell of a fighter. Someone whose best days are behind him.

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Ryan Rozicki is waiting for Badou Jack’s consent to mandatory cooperation with the WBC

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Badou Jack Rozicki Mikaelian WBC

The World Boxing Council (WBC) ordered world cruiserweight champion Badou “The Ripper” Jack (20-1-1, 19 KO) to make a mandatory title defense against Ryan “The Bruiser” Rozicki (20-1), number 1 in the WBC ranking – 1, 19 KOs).

If both camps fail to successfully negotiate an agreement, the WBC will organize a tender on February 4, followed by the Jack vs. Rozicki. Rozicki’s promoter, Three Lions Promotions, immediately sent Team Jacek an offer to promote the fight in Canada last week.

“We are waiting for their counteroffer,” explained promoter Dan Otter of Three Lions Promotions. “Boxing has had a huge resurgence in Canada and Ryan is leading the way. He is one of the most electrifying and hardest-hitting fighters in boxing, definitely in the cruiserweight division. He wants the WBC green belt and ultimately the unification of the division. Ryan will fight Jack anywhere for the belt.”

29-year-old Rozicki, born in Sydney (Nova Scotia) and living in Hamilton (Ontario), fought 22 professional fights against 21 different opponents (twice against Yamil Alberto Peralta), stopping 19 of the 20 opponents he defeated. an eye-opening 95-KO percentage.

Jack, 41, was a 2008 Olympian representing his native Sweden. He is a three-division world champion, as well as the WBC super middleweight and World Boxing Association (WBA) lightweight heavyweight title holder. Jack has a record of 5-0-2 (2 KO) in world championship fights.

“We respect Jack and I don’t want to sound disrespectful,” Otter added, “but he’s over 40 years vintage and has been relatively inactive for two years (only one fight). He brings a lot of experience and respect to the ring, but he will fight a newborn defender with a lot of power. Jack is going to struggle and honestly, I don’t think he’ll make it past the first few rounds.”

Ryan Rozicki is on a mission to become the first Canadian cruiserweight world champion.

The next move is Badou Jack’s.

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Floyd Mayweather’s record is not normal, it can’t happen in 70 years

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Floyd Mayweather 50-0

Floyd Mayweather’s incredible 50-0 record is not normal and cannot be repeated in sports for another seventy years.

This is the view of Saudi Arabian president Turki Alalshikh, who wants to adopt the UFC model in which fighters lose many fights during their career.

In a speech as he hosted the Ring Magazine Awards after acquiring the long-running boxing publication from Oscar De La Hoya, Alalshikh was unequivocal in his opinion.

“Now losing some fights in boxing must be normal,” he explained. “All fighters want a career similar to Floyd Mayweather – no losses. This may happen once every 50, 60 or 70 years.

“We need it [to be] like currently in the UFC model, where champions lose and win,” added the matchmaker during the Riyad season.

Mayweather rose through the sport in the tardy 1990s to become one of its youngest superstars. Mayweather’s professional success came after winning a bronze medal at the Olympics after losing to Serafim Todorov.

Winning world titles in five weight classes, Mayweather was untouchable. The Grand Rapids native only came close to defeat a few times. He dominated Manny Pacquiao and overtook Canelo Alvarez and Oscar De La Hoya after heated debates, with decisions that should have been made unanimously.

Towards the end of his career, Mayweather chose to face Andre Berto and Conor McGregor, easily winning and ending his boxing career at the age of 50 without ever going out. Calling himself “the greatest of all time,” Mayweather earned first-ballot Hall of Fame honors and is widely considered one of, if not the greatest defensive fighter of all time.

However, Alalshikh says this type of career needs to end so that fans can get the most out of boxing, as is the case with the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Boxing needs to become more attractive, and Alalshikh sees the failures of top stars as a way to keep interest at an all-time high.

In this sport, many boxers enjoy undefeated streaks, the most notable of which is Oleksandr Usyk. The Ukrainian Pound for Pound King is 23-0 and has beaten the best he has to offer in his division and cruiserweight classification.

It remains a mystery how Alalshikh plans to make Usyk suffer while he dominates everyone else. By the time his grand plan goes into action, Usyk will be long gone, and Gervonta Davis, Shakur Stevenson and Devin Haney may be more realistic targets.

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Manny Pacquiao remains the favorite to win the title against Mario Barrios

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Manny Pacquiao vs Barrios

WBN understands that despite alternative options emerging, it is more likely that Manny Pacquiao will face Mario Barrios next.

Bob Santos, coach of WBC welterweight champion Barrios, told World Boxing News that he is currently in contact with Pacquiao’s team. Asked by WBN if he had spoken to Pacquiao or representatives of any other challenger, Santos replied: “Yes, Pacquiao’s promoter, Sean Gibbons.” Pressed on whether Barrios vs Pacquiao might happen next, he added: “It’s challenging to say. We’ll have to see how this plays out.”

WBN contacted Santos after Conor Benn emerged as a potential alternative to Barrios. The British fighter, who recently returned from a suspension following two positive drug tests, is keen to return to competition.

Benn showed favor with the World Boxing Council at the recent WBC Convention, the WBC Evaluation Committee and during an interview with the sanctioning body over the weekend. “The Destroyer” is ranked second in the rankings at 147 pounds, despite less than solid opponents during his time in exile, during which Benn competed twice in the United States while his career in the United Kingdom was in doubt.

As he battled to clear his name and with the British Anti-Doping Authority finding no evidence that Benn had intentionally taken ostarine, the 28-year-old’s career took a pointed nosedive. Despite this, he remains highly rated and at least one step away from fighting for an eliminator or one of the remaining championship titles.

However, Pacquiao remains Barrios’ favorite. Now it’s up to the boxing legend and Hall of Famer who got the first votes to secure his shot. WBN believes a July date – most likely at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas – is the most realistic date for a Nevada swan song.

Pacquiao could extend his record as the oldest welterweight champion by six years if he can secure a huge victory over the 29-year-old world champion. At 46 years antique, such a scenario remains unlikely, but he can never be compared to one of the greatest players of this generation.

Unlike heavier boxers and his training regiment, Pacquiao looks in great shape despite his advanced age. Everything is set for a massive return to the boxing capital of the world, provided Pacquiao and his team can manage his political ambitions, which are expected to run from this month until May. After that time, Pacquiao could find himself in the summer finals and become the all-time champion, regardless of the result.

Barrios is based in the city, where he trained with Santos, and would be the perfect opponent to see out the career of one of the greatest fighters in history.

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