Andy Ruiz Jr says he’s ready and willing to face the very best heavyweights in the world.
Following a close loss to Joseph Parker for the WBO world title, the Mexican went one better three years later by stepping in as a last minute replacement to face Anthony Joshua in his US debut.
Ruiz shocked the world with a seventh round stoppage and will go down in history as causing one of the biggest heavyweight upsets ever.
Following that spectacular unified world title win, an out-of-shape Ruiz was beaten by Joshua in the rematch.
He would spend a year and a half out the ring before returning to beat Chris Arreola over the distance in May of 2021. In October last year, he moved his wins to two-in-a-row by defeating Luis Ortiz, dropping the Cuban three times on the way to another unanimous decision.
Any momentum built there has been completely lost, even despite an order to face Deontay Wilder in an intriguing match-up to decide Tyson Fury’s next mandatory challenger.
The WBC has since rescinded eliminator as the pair failed to strike a deal, and Ruiz has been bumped from second to fifth in its latest heavyweight rankings update.
That’s something he apparently wants to change, and he called out Wilder, Joshua, Fury and Oleksandr Usyk in his latest gym video.
“Yo everybody’s asking when am I fighting, why don’t I fight Wilder? Nobody wants to fight. I’m staying ready baby. Tell Joshua let’s do the trilogy. Tell Wilder I’m ready, write me another contract. Usyk, Tyson Fury, everybody wants to go through the shortcuts. But I’m here baby, working.”
Let the heavy weight duck farm know i’m ready 🥊😤🔥🔥 #TheReturnpic.twitter.com/2zBIgDQU0o
— AndyRuizJr (@Andy_destroyer1) September 15, 2023
The Mexican looks a shadow of the 283lbs heavyweight who was out-boxed by ‘AJ’ in the rematch. His shape – which fans on social media complimented – doesn’t seem to be the issue, but rather putting pen to paper to sign a fight.