Andy Ruiz Jr returns to the ring next month after close to two years out, determined to reach the top of the heavyweight division once more.
The Mexican-American shocked the boxing world when he defeated Anthony Joshua back in 2019, a stoppage win that saw him become unified champion. His everyman look and endearing attitude made him an instant star, but he would lose the belts in an immediate rematch after months of partying paired with a dialled-in and cautious ‘AJ’ performance.
He was off for a year and a half before returning with two points wins over Chris Arreola and Luis Ortiz. The comeback was stunted by failed negotiations with Deontay Wilder before shoulder surgery.
At 34-years-old, Ruiz can’t hang around any longer. He begins the comeback from a comeback on August 3 when he takes on Jarrell Miller – the man who tested positive for banned substances before the ‘AJ’ fight paving the way for Ruiz to step in. Miller is coming off a loss to Daniel Dubois but provides a true test of endurance and grit with his 300lbs frame.
Enjoying plenty of support in Los Angeles, Ruiz’s media obligations have started now and he welcomed people to an open workout this week where he hit the pads with blistering speed for a big man before conducting some interviews.
It’s safe to say fans were impressed, with one saying Ruiz was ‘throwing combinations like a welterweight’ and that his speed was ‘scary.’ Another commenter compared him to two former opponents, praising him for having ‘the fast hands of Joseph Parker’ and the ‘explosiveness of Joshua.’
The 34-year-old hasn’t slimmed down considerably – one fan branded him ‘the old Ruiz, fast and big’ and another said he looked 280lbs. He said post-workout that focusing on dropping pounds was of detriment to him, as proven by his relatively poor showing against Arreola in 2021 when he had read criticism on his weight and tried to act on it.
Instead, the fan-favourite heavyweight has focused on stamina and gameplan and will weigh what he weighs. He faces Miller on August 3 on the undercard of Terence Crawfrod-Israil Madrimov.
