Andy Ruiz Jr.: Difference between revisions

{{short description|Mexican-American boxer (born 1989)}}

{{forredirect|Andy Ruiz|the Guatemalan footballer|Andy Ruiz (footballer)}}

| height = {{cvtheight|1.88ft=6|min=2|out=cm}}<ref name=BoxRecStats>{{Cite web|url=https://boxrec.com/en/proboxer/489762|title=BoxRec: Andy Ruiz Jr|website=boxrec.com|access-date=2019-11-27}}</ref>

| total = 3738

| draws = 1

'''Andrés Ponce Ruiz Jr.''' (born September 11, 1989) is ana Mexican-American [[professional boxer]] of Mexican descent. He is a former [[Unifiedunified champion|unified]] world [[heavyweight]] world champion, having defeatedheld the [[AnthonyWorld Boxing JoshuaAssociation]] to win the(WBA) ([[WBA (Super)]],|Super [[IBFversion]]), [[WBOInternational Boxing Federation]] (IBF), and [[InternationalWorld Boxing Organization|IBO]] (WBO) titles in 2019. He also held the [[International Boxing Organization]] (IBO) title during that reign.

Ruiz next fought on September 10, 2016, returning to the [[Tachi Palace|Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino]] in California to headline "Solo Boxeo Tecate" (UniMas) against 40 year old Franklin Lawrence (21-2-2, 16 KOs) for the WBC-NABF heavyweight title.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.boxingscene.com/andy-ruiz-vs-franklin-lawrence-on-september-10-unimas--105934|title=Andy Ruiz vs. Franklin Lawrence on September 10, UniMas|work=BoxingScene.com|access-date=2017-12-29|language=en-us}}</ref> Lawrence has won his last nine fights inside the distance dating back to 2009, with his last loss being against veteran [[Oliver McCall]]. His only other loss came in his fifth professional fight against future WBC world champion [[Bermane Stiverne]], which was stopped after Lawrence injured his arm in round one. Ruiz made a successful fifth defence of his WBC-NABF title after ten one-sided rounds. The judges scored the fight 100–90, 99–91, and 99–91. The win also set up a future WBO eliminator with bout with [[Hughie Fury]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.boxingscene.com/andy-ruiz-decisions-lawrence-hughie-fury-appears-next--108643|title=Andy Ruiz Decisions Lawrence, Hughie Fury Appears To Be Next - Boxing News|website=www.boxingscene.com|date=11 September 2016 |access-date=2016-09-28}}</ref>

On January 11, 2019, it was reported that Ruiz had signed a deal with powerful advisor [[Al Haymon]], and would now be part of the [[Premier Boxing Champions]] (PBC) stable, with his fights being aired on [[Showtime (TV network)|Showtime]] and [[Fox Broadcasting Company|FOX]]. It was said that Ruiz had bought out the remainder of his [[Top Rank]] promotional contract.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.boxingscene.com/andy-ruiz-inks-agreement-with-al-haymon-heads-pbc--135305|title=Andy Ruiz Inks Agreement With Al Haymon, Heads To PBC|website=BoxingScene.com|date=11 January 2019 |language=en-us|access-date=2019-05-01}}</ref> On March 7, Ruiz's PBC debut was announced to take place on the [[Danny Garcia (boxer)|Danny García]] vs. [[Adrián Granados]] undercard on April 20 at the [[Dignity Health Sports Park]] in Carson, California against 36 year old German boxer [[Alexander Dimitrenko]] (41-4, 26 KOs) in a ten-round bout. The fight was televised on FOX and [[Fox Deportes|FOX Deportes]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.boxingscene.com/danny-garcia-vs-adrian-granados-tops-tripleheader-april-20--136849|title=Danny Garcia vs. Adrian Granados Tops Tripleheader, April 20|website=BoxingScene.com|date=7 March 2019 |language=en-us|access-date=2019-05-01}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.espn.co.uk/boxing/story/_/id/26176175|title=Ruiz-Dimitrenko bout joins Garcia-Granados card|date=2019-03-08|website=ESPN.com|language=en|access-date=2019-05-01}}</ref> For the fight, Ruiz weighed 262 pounds and Dimitrenko came it at 259 pounds.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.boxingscene.com/pbc-on-fox-weights-danny-garcia-1468-adrian-granados-146--138130|title=PBC on FOX Weights: Danny Garcia 146.8, Adrian Granados 146|website=BoxingScene.com|date=19 April 2019 |language=en-us|access-date=2019-05-01}}</ref> Ruiz was guaranteed a $200,000 purse, whilst Dimitrenko was guaranteed $75,000.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.boxingnews24.com/2019/04/purses-danny-garcia-1m-adrian-granados-400k/|title=Purses: Danny Garcia $1M, Adrian Granados $400K|date=2019-04-20|website=Boxing News 24|language=en-US|access-date=2019-05-01}}</ref> Using his quick hands and combinations, Ruiz was able to overcome Dimitrenko via TKO in round five. The bout nearly came to an end in round four when Ruiz nearly knocked Dimitrenko down, however Dimitrenko managed to make it to the end of the round. Ruiz landed 68 punches overall, compared to Dimitrenko, who landed 21 punches.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.boxingscene.com/andy-ruiz-stops-alexander-dimitrenko-results--138184|title=Andy Ruiz Breaks Down, Stops Alexander Dimitrenko|website=BoxingScene.com|date=20 April 2019 |language=en-us|access-date=2019-05-01}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.badlefthook.com/2019/4/20/18509481/garcia-vs-granados-results-andy-ruiz-jr-dominates-alexander-dimitrenko|title=Ruiz Jr. dominates Dimitrenko|last=Stumberg|first=Patrick L.|date=2019-04-20|website=Bad Left Hook|access-date=2019-05-01}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://roundbyroundboxing.com/scoreboard/danny-garcia-vs-adrian-granados-fight-results/|title=Danny Garcia vs. Adrian Granados Fight Results {{!}} Round By Round Boxing|last=Boxing|first=Round|language=en-US|access-date=2019-05-01}}</ref> For his next fight, Ruiz wanted to fight [[Adam Kownacki]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.boxingscene.com/andy-ruiz-adam-kownacki-i-want-fight-lets-this--138213|title=Andy Ruiz To Adam Kownacki: I Want To Fight, Let's Do This!|website=BoxingScene.com|date=21 April 2019 |language=en-us|access-date=2019-05-01}}</ref>

Prior to the Dimitrenko fight, Ruiz put his name forward to replace [[Jarrell Miller]] and challenge [[Anthony Joshua]] (22-0, 21 KOs) for the [[Unified champion|unified]] [[WBA (Super)]], [[International Boxing Federation|IBF]], WBO, and [[International Boxing Organization|IBO]] heavyweight titles on June 1, 2019, after Miller was denied a license by the [[New York State Athletic Commission|New York Athletic Commission]] because he failed three different tests for [[Performance-enhancing substance|PEDs]]. On April 22, Ruiz confirmed his team had a meeting scheduled with promoter [[Eddie Hearn]], officially putting himself in the running.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.boxingscene.com/andy-ruiz-confirms-he-mix-face-anthony-joshua--138254|title=Andy Ruiz Confirms He is in The Mix To Face Anthony Joshua|website=BoxingScene.com|date=22 April 2019 |language=en-us|access-date=2019-05-01}}</ref> Ruiz became a frontrunner after it was reported [[Luis Ortiz (Cuban boxer)|Luis Ortiz's]] team had rejected two offers of career-high purses to fight Joshua.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.boxingscene.com/andy-ruiz-emerges-frontrunner-joshua-sweepstakes--138337|title=Andy Ruiz Emerges as Frontrunner in Joshua Sweepstakes|website=BoxingScene.com|date=25 April 2019 |language=en-us|access-date=2019-05-01}}</ref> Terms were agreed within a week. On May 1, with one month to go before fight night, Joshua vs. Ruiz was confirmed and announced to take place at [[Madison Square Garden]] in [[New York City]], broadcast exclusively on [[DAZN]] in the United States and on PPV [[Sky Box Office|Sky Sports Box Office]] in the United Kingdom.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.boxingscene.com/team-ruiz-confirm-deal-nearly-finalized-face-anthony-joshua--138495|title=Team Ruiz Confirm Deal Nearly Finalized To Face Anthony Joshua|website=BoxingScene.com|date=29 April 2019 |language=en-us|access-date=2019-05-01}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.boxingscene.com/anthony-joshua-vs-andy-ruiz-finalized-june-1-msg--138541|title=Anthony Joshua vs. Andy Ruiz - Finalized For June 1, MSG|website=BoxingScene.com|date=May 2019 |language=en-us|access-date=2019-05-01}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.skysports.com/boxing/news/12183/11707947/joshua-vs-ruiz-jr-anthony-joshuas-opponent-confirmed-as-andy-ruiz-jr-for-us-debut-in-new-york|title=Joshua vs Ruiz Jr: Anthony Joshua's opponent confirmed as Andy Ruiz Jr for US debut in New York|website=Sky Sports|language=en|access-date=2019-05-01}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.espn.co.uk/boxing/story/_/id/26644674|title=Joshua to fight short-notice foe Ruiz on June 1|date=2019-05-01|website=ESPN.com|language=en|access-date=2019-05-01}}</ref>

On June 1, Ruiz defeated Joshua by technical knockout in the seventh-round, capturing the unified WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, and IBO titles. The first two rounds of the fight were relatively slow, with both men feeling each other out. In the third round, Joshua knocked Ruiz to the canvas, which was the first time Ruiz had suffered a knockdown in his career. Ruiz rose to his feet, seeminglyand unfazedcontinued byto attack. Ruiz landed a left hook to Joshua's power,temple andwhich quicklyvisibly continuedstaggered tohim, attack.after Merewhich momentsRuiz afterknocked havinghim hitdown. Just before the canvasend himselfof round three, Ruiz respondedagain withknocked down Joshua after forcing him into a successioncorner and unleashing a series of heavypower punches;. despiteIn hittinground seven, Ruiz withknocked repeatedJoshua jabsdown once again. Joshua managed to theget faceback on his feet again before being floored for a fourth and final time, Joshuaresulting wasin caughtthe referee waving off guardthe byfight. The referee subsequently awarded Ruiz a leftseventh-round hooktechnical toknockout victory, making him the templefirst which[[Mexican visiblyAmericans|Mexican-American]] staggeredand him,second [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic]] heavyweight champion in boxing history after which[[John Ruiz]] knocked(who himhas downno relation to Andy Ruiz).<ref>{{Cite Joshuaweb|title=Andy wasRuiz ableJr. toBecomes getFirst backHeavyweight up,Champ butof didMexican notDescent|url=https://www.premierboxingchampions.com/news/andy-ruiz-jr-becomes-first-heavyweight-champ-mexican-descent|access-date=2021-06-08|website=PBC respondBoxing|date=2 asJune aggressively2019 as|language=en}}</ref> RuizAt hadthe time of stoppage, insteadRuiz choosingwas toleading the fight remain57–56 on two scorecards and Joshua was leading 57–56 on the defensiveother. JustIt beforeis theconsidered endto be one of roundthe three,biggest Ruizupsets againin managedthe tohistory fellof aboxing.<ref>{{cite disorientednews |last1=Eligon |first1=John |title=Anthony Joshua afterUpset forcingby himAndy intoRuiz aJr. cornerin andStunning unleashingSeventh-Round aKnockout series|work=The ofNew powerYork punchesTimes |date=2 June 2019 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/02/sports/andy-ruiz-anthony-joshua-upset-boxing.html?action=click&module=Well&pgtype=Homepage&section=Sports |access-date=2 June 2019}}</ref>

Ruiz left Eddy Reynoso and started training with Alfredo Osuna.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Nam |first1=Sean |title=Andy Ruiz on Reynoso: 'Eddy is Not Gonna Be In This Camp, But In the Future I'm Sure He Is' |url=https://www.boxingscene.com/andy-ruiz-on-reynoso-eddy-not-gonna-this-camp-future-im-sure-he--167744 |access-date=26 April 2024 |work=BoxingScene.com |date=19 July 2022 |language=en-us}}</ref>

Sixteen months after defeating Chris Arreola, Ruiz returned to the ring on September 4, 2022, in Los Angeles to face former [[World Boxing Association|WBA]] [[Interim championship|interim]] heavyweight champion [[Luis Ortiz (Cuban boxer)|Luis Ortiz]] in an eliminator for the [[World Boxing Council|WBC]] title.

Despite being outboxed by Ortiz for portions of the fight, Ruiz dropped his opponent three times, twice in the second round and once in the seventh. The knockdowns proved to be decisive, with the judges scoring the bout 114–111, 114–111 and 113–112 in Ruiz's favor. Former WBC champion [[Deontay Wilder]] had been in attendance, and both Ruiz and Wilder welcomed the prospect of facing each other.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Andy Ruiz beats Luis Ortiz via unanimous decision after three knockdowns as Deontay Wilder welcomes all-American heavyweight clash |url=https://uk-sport-web.prod.oceanusorigin.com/boxing/news/12183/12690390/andy-ruiz-beats-luis-ortiz-via-unanimous-decision-after-three-knockdowns-as-deontay-wilder-welcomes-all-american-heavyweight-clash |access-date=2022-09-11 |website=Sky Sports |language=en }}{{Dead link|date=July 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Ruiz Jr wants Wilder fight after beating Ortiz |language=en-GB |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/boxing/62792159 |access-date=2022-09-11}}</ref>

|draws=1

|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Diriyah Arena]], [[Diriyah]], Saudi Arabia}}