A former world heavyweight champion that shared the ring with both Anthony Joshua and Joseph Parker has made his intentions perfectly clear to return to the top of the sport.
Joshua and Parker have both been viewed as two of the best heavyweights of the past decade or so, having each had spells as world heavyweight champion.
One man that has fought them both is Andy Ruiz Jr, who suffered a majority-decision defeat to Parker back in 2016 before going on to claim a shock upset victory over Joshua in June 2019. Ruiz knocked Joshua down four times before the referee stopped the contest, making him the unified world heavyweight champion.
Ruiz would lose his belts in an immediate rematch with Joshua six months later, and he has struggled for activity since then, earning wins over Chris Arreola and Luis Ortiz before a draw with Jarrell Miller in his last bout back in August 2024.
After over two years out, Ruiz now returns on Friday when he faces Damian Knyba, and he explained at their final press conference why he is on a mission to get his belts back.
“I am capable of doing everything right and to be champion again. I had all the belts and I lost them because of my un-dedication and not being disciplined. Now that I’m disciplined, I’m dedicated and I’m hungry, I want those belts back.
“I want to prove to myself and to my family and fans that I am capable of becoming champion again, that’s exactly where we’re heading. I have to climb up the ladder again.
“I have a tough opponent in Damian. I know he wants to win this fight a lot just like me, that’s going to make it an exciting fight. We’re excited, there’s a lot of nerves, I want to look good and be victorious.”
Ruiz faces Knyba at the Prudential Center in New Jersey, with a clash between Vito Mielnicki Jr and Austin Williams also on the card.
