Andy Ruiz Jr has promised fans a big 2024 after not fighting in over twelve months.
The 34-year-old shot to the top of the heavyweight tree in 2019 when he was drafted in as a late replacement for Anthony Joshua’s American debut.
Ruiz – who had previously lost a close world title fight against Joseph Parker – shocked the world with his seventh round stoppage of ‘AJ.’ He would lose the three belts in an immediate rematch six months later.
Since then, the fast-punching heavyweight has beaten Chris Arreola in 2021 and Luis Ortiz in 2022. Protracted negotiations with Deontay Wilder last year amounted to nothing, and surgery on his shoulder set him back further.
Speaking on Pro Box TV, Shawn Porter urged the former unified champion to return and suggested one Daniel Dubois as a potential opponent.
“I want to see Andy Ruiz back in the ring. I think Daniel Dubois makes a lot of sense.”
In a seperate segment on his own podcast, Porter has praised the young Brit for ‘fighting himself out of a reputation.’
“Salute to Triple D, because that man came ready to fight. He fought himself out of a reputation of quitting.”
Dubois has indeed changed the minds of many in the sport with a stoppage victory over the controversial Jarrell Miller. Miller – weighing in at 333lbs – provided a stern test for ‘DDD’ following a loss to Oleksandr Usyk in which some observers felt he quit after being knocked down in the ninth round.
The grit showed from Dubois puts his name back at the top end of the heavyweight division, and his rankings with the sanctioning bodies would be a favourable prize for the inactive Ruiz.