Andy Ruiz Jr will be making his first appearance of 2022 on September 4 at the Crypto.com Arena in LA against Luis Ortiz. Beating the 43-year-old would keep the Mexican’s dreams alive of becoming a two-time world champion.
Ruiz shocked the world in June 2019 when he defeated Anthony Joshua at Madison Square Garden to become the first ever Mexican Heavyweight Champion of the World.
The 32-year-old was badly out of shape in the rematch with the Brit and lost via a wide decision.
Ruiz is now training with Alfredo Osuna after parting ways with highly-rated coach Eddy Reynoso. He made his return to the ring with a hard-fought decision victory over fellow Mexican-American Chris Arreola last May.
The 32-year-old looks to have got his motivation back and clips are beginning to surface of a trimmed down Ruiz looking as sharp and ferocious as ever:
Andy Ruiz Jr 🇲🇽⚡💣💥 #ESPNKnockOut#RuizOrtizpic.twitter.com/wx8JejXxjW
— ESPN KnockOut (@ESPNKnockOut) July 18, 2022
Andy Ruiz Jr showing off his heavyweight hand speed on the pads today, training for the Luis Ortiz fight on Sept 4th…
[🎥 @Andy_Destroyer1] pic.twitter.com/CieZFJ11lq
— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) July 4, 2022
Although the Mexican isn’t looking past Ortiz he told FightHype that he wants Deontay Wilder next if he does get his hand raised:
“If I win I would want to fight [Deontay] Wilder if he comes out of retirement.”
Ortiz (33-2, 28 KOs) has won two fights in a row against Alexander Flores and Charles Martin, respectively, since his rematch defeat to Deontay Wilder in November 2019. The Cuban had been ordered to fight Filip Hrgovic in an IBF final eliminator following his win over Martin on January 1 but suffered a hand injury which prevented him from facing the Croat.
A win for either man would put them back in world title contention, whereas a loss would would inevitably raise retirement questions.