​Former unified heavyweight champion Andy Ruiz Jr. has joined forces with Matchroom Boxing in his latest bid to revive a start-and-stop career. Expressing his enthusiasm, Ruiz Jr. said, “I’m so happy and thankful for signing with Matchroom and taking another step forward to continue my mission and to become a two-time world champion for Mexico. I believe everything happens for a season, and I’m grateful that God is giving me a second opportunity to do everything right. Sometimes God breaks you to make you a better person and a better fighter.” He added, “I made history with Matchroom and DAZN, and best believe we are going to do it again, in God Almighty’s name. Amen, baby, let’s go! Thank you to all my coaches for still believing in me; we are going to make a big statement in the heavyweight division.”
Ruiz, now 35-2-1 with 22 knockouts, has fought only three times since losing to Anthony Joshua in their 2019 rematch. He suffered an early knockdown against a fading Chris Arreola, narrowly defeated Luis Ortiz despite three knockdowns against him, and then settled for a majority draw with Jarrell Miller two years ago. Although he has reunited with trainer Manny Robles for this phase of his career, Ruiz is 36 and has long been known for his volatility, which makes predicting his role in the evolving post-Usyk heavyweight scene difficult.
According to Mike Coppinger, Ruiz’s return could set up a matchup with Damian Knyba (17-1, 11 KO) on Matchroom’s September 4 card in Newark, headlined by Vito Mielnicki Jr. versus “Ammo” Williams. Knyba’s last appearance saw him suffer a controversial third-round stoppage loss to Agit Kabayel in January, a test of rust that could prove a reasonable hurdle for Ruiz as he begins a fresh chapter with Matchroom. The Newark show promises to provide a meaningful platform for Ruiz to reintroduce himself to the division and test his renewed focus against a competitive opponent.