A former world heavyweight champion is back in the ring this week and has been laying out his objectives ahead of the first bell.
The saying goes that reaching the top of your chosen sport is easy, but that staying there is much harder. To find the motivation to consistently go to the well and push yourself when success – and likely fame and fortune – has already come your way can be a challenge, especially in boxing when the prize is so big and the training is so demanding.
Andy Ruiz is someone who climbed the mountain and became the unified ruler in the banner division when he shocked the world and beat Anthony Joshua, who was making his US debut, back in June 2019.
Six months later, however, after more time spent partying than training, Ruiz lost the rematch on points and has never been anywhere near the top level ever since.
Speaking to Matchroom Boxing, Ruiz expressed his delight to be back in the ring once more this week.
“I’m excited and nervous, especially fighting again on DAZN, I’m blessed, I feel like God has given me a second chance, and that’s what he does, but I have got to take advantage of it, I’ve got to take it serious.
“I want to become champion again. That’s my mission, my whole mission, to become heavyweight champion again, two-time heavyweight champion.”
Since 2019, Ruiz has fought just three times, beating Chris Arreola in 2021, Luis Ortiz in 2022 and drawing with Jarrell Miller in 2024, although a hand injury is in part responsible for that inactivity.
Next up, he returns against Damian Knyba on September 4 at the Prudential Center in Newark, in what he hopes will be the first of more regular fights as he chases down a second world title.
