It has been reported that Andy Ruiz Jr. is planning his return to the boxing ring for the summer. Mike Coppinger from The Athletic has reported that Ruiz is in talks for an August bout, and there are two opponents that are being discussed.
Sources: Andy Ruiz Jr.’s ring return is being planned for August. Two names being discussed for his opponent. Adam Kownacki, who fights Robert Helenius on Saturday on FOX, if he wins as expected. The other option under discussion for the former heavyweight champ: Chris Arreola.
Coppinger’s tweet reads, “Sources: Andy Ruiz Jr.’s ring return is being planned for August. Two names being discussed for his opponent. Adam Kownacki, who fights Robert Helenius on Saturday on FOX, if he wins as expected. The other option under discussion for the former heavyweight champ: Chris Arreola.”
This will be Ruiz’s first match since his unanimous decision loss in his highly-anticipated rematch against Anthony Joshua.
Kownacki (20-0, 15 KO) and Helenius (29-3, 18 KO) are scheduled to meet at the Barclays Center in New York on March 7. Arreola (38-6-1, 2 NC, 33 KO,) who lost his last fight to Kownacki in August 2019, is currently not booked for another match.
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Ruiz Shocked The Boxing World When He Defeated Anthony Joshua
In one of the biggest upsets in boxing history, Ruiz defeated Anthony Joshua by TKO in the seventh round of their match in June 1, 2019. Booksmaker Sportsbook had Joshua as a -2775 favorite and Ruiz as a +1725 underdog.
The two rematched six months later, on December 7, 2019, and the result was much different. Joshua would avenge his loss to Ruiz by winning a unanimous decision (118-110, 118-10, and 119-109.)
The loss to Joshua was only the second of Ruiz’s professional boxing career, and he currently holds a record of 33-2 with 22 wins via knockouts.
The 30-Year-Old Boxer Gives His Thoughts on Tyson Fury vs. Deontay Wilder
Ruiz was on PBC on Fox after the February 22 clash between Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder, and he gave his thoughts on the fight. Fury defeated Wilder in the seventh round of their highly anticipated rematch, winning Wilder’s WBC belt, as well as The Ring magazine belt.
Here is the clip:
In the interview, Ruiz said, “I think Tyson Fury did an awesome job, and I was really shocked because I thought Wilder was going to win.” He also said that he wants a shot a Tyson Fury.
Ruiz wants his shot at the WBC belt, but he admits that it’s not realistic right now. Wilder has enacted his rematch clause against Fury, and it has been reported that the two men will fight their trilogy fight on July 18 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
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Andy Ruiz Jr. In Talks to Return in Summer, 2 Opponents Being Discussed: Report