Andy Ruiz expected back in the ring this August
Former unified world heavyweight champion Andy Ruiz is finally expected to return to the ring after a prolonged spell of inactivity with a high-profile name being linked to take on the Mexican hero.
Ruiz famously knocked out then-unbeaten Anthony Joshua in 2019 in what was one of heavyweight boxing’s greatest ever upsets, becoming the first ever Mexican world heavyweight champion, before losing the belts in an instant rematch with ‘AJ’ just six months later.
Astonishingly, Ruiz has fought just twice since that December defeat in Saudi Arabia, outpointing Chris Arreola and Luis Ortiz in 2021 and 2022, respectively, going without a fight in both 2020 and 2023.
To his defence, ‘The Destroyer’ has had a difficult time with injuries, the most recent of which was a torn rotator cuff that required surgery on his shoulder, leaving him a forgotten man in a division that is booming once again.
However, the 34-year-old Californian is reportedly rocketing his way back into the mix with a big fight lined up in the summer against loud-mouth American Jarrell Miller, who lost his undefeated to record to Daniel Dubois on the ‘Day of Reckoning’ card four months ago.
Boxing Scene reported: “Ruiz’s Aug. 3 opponent is reportedly former contender Jarrell “Big Baby” Miller (26-1-1, 22 KOs), who showed up very overweight for his Dec. 23 loss to Daniel Dubois in Saudi Arabia, meaning these two notoriously heavy men may combine to weigh more than 600lbs on fight night.”
Pro Boxing Fans later tweeted the news that the fight between Ruiz and Miller was a “done deal” for August 3.
ESPN’s Salvador Rodriguez has revealed that the fight will make up part of the Crawford-Madrimov undercard, accompanied by a first super-lightweight title defence for Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz, who is expected to take on Jose ‘Rayo’ Valenzuela on the same bill, that will go ahead on August 3 at the BMO Stadium in Los Angeles.