Boxing
The long-awaited return of Andy Ruiz Jr.
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.
Boxing
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