Andy Ruiz Jr. is one of the least active heavyweights in the division.
The Mexican-American is a former unified world champion who shocked the world back in June 2019 when he got an upset KO win over Anthony Joshua.
Ruiz celebrated rather too hard for the next six months and went into the rematch in Riyadh out of shape, which meant he was soundly beaten over 12 rounds by Joshua and lost his belts.
Since then, he has fought just a few times, beating Chris Arreola and Luiz Ortiz, while drawing with Jarrell Miller last time out in August 2024.
Following that, he has been recovering from surgery on a hand injury, but is now 36 years old and has been away from the ring for almost two years.
Speaking to FightHype, Ruiz was first asked about his current promotional status.
“Well, none of anybody’s business, that’s for sure. I’ll be explaining the good news pretty soon man. Everything hasn’t happened yet.”
He was then asked who he wants when he does return.
“I want to fight everybody, man. The main thing is, people want to see me fight. I want to get in there, I need to get in there bro, we’ve been training like crazy. I’m looking good, I’m feeling good, the main thing is just staying in shape and waiting until they come and tell me the good news. I want an eliminator, then I want a title shot.”
There is plenty of change in the heavyweight division likely to happen soon with Joshua, Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk all pushing 40 and with a limited time left in the ring, while Daniel Dubois is the newest world champion and Moses Itauma, who has been linked with Ruiz Jr in the past, is one of the fast-rising new stars.
