A Long-Awaited Return
Andy Ruiz Jr, the former unified heavyweight world champion, is set to make his return to the ring on Friday, September 4, at the Prudential Center in Newark, where he will face Poland's Damian Knyba. The bout headlines a Matchroom-TNT card and marks Ruiz's first fight in just over two years, as reported by com.
Ruiz's last appearance was in August 2024, when he fought Jarrell Miller to a contentious majority draw, a result that many felt the latter deserved to win, according to com. During that fight, Ruiz broke his right hand, as reported by Essentially Sports, and subsequently spent a long period on the sidelines.
Confronting 'Really Dark' Times
In an interview with Ariel Helwani, Ruiz opened up about the difficulties he faced during his time away from the ring. "It got really dark. Really dark," he said, as quoted by both Essentially Sports and com. He continued, "Everybody goes through roller coasters. Everybody has ups and downs in their life, and especially when it gets mental as well. Especially when you feel like you're not good enough, you feel like you're not going to be the same, you feel like you don't want to do this anymore. There were a lot of things that were happening."
Ruiz attributed his excessive weight gain to "partying too much" after his upset win over Anthony Joshua in June 2019, as stated in com's report. He came in 15 pounds heavier for their rematch six months later and lost on points, a setback that com notes has consistently affected his career.
At his lowest point, Ruiz says his weight ballooned to around 300 pounds. However, he has since committed to intermittent fasting and reunited with his longtime trainer Manny Robles late last year, as reported by com. Ruiz confirmed to Helwani that he is now 257 pounds, saying, "I was probably about 300lbs; I'm now 257lbs. I like where I am at; I'm not where I want to be at, but it's great progress."
A New Discipline
Ruiz, who is 36 years old and enters what could be the final stretch of his career, according to Essentially Sports, says his approach to training and diet has changed. "My discipline is a lot better now," he told Helwani, as quoted by com. "I like fasting, so that has been what has helped me stay in balance. I don't eat breakfast. There are times I work out, and I am fasted."
Essentially Sports reports that Ruiz has been a regular at the gym, sometimes to the point of overextending, with his team members having to rein him in. He has also taken up rapping, sharing themes of "dark days" in his songs, according to Essentially Sports.
The Opponent: Damian Knyba
Knyba, who hails from Poland, is unbeaten, though that record was broken by current WBC champion Agit Kabayel in January, as reported by Essentially Sports. The fight represents a significant test for Ruiz as he looks to re-establish himself in the heavyweight division, which has seen considerable movement in recent weeks.
Ruiz, who knocked out Anthony Joshua in one of modern boxing's biggest upsets six years ago, is aiming to avoid a return to "those stagnant days of inactivity and hopelessly waiting," as described by Essentially Sports. Both outlets report that Ruiz is determined to make this comeback a successful one.