Ruiz says when he believes he could fight exciting up-and-comer.
Andy Ruiz Jr. will always be known as the man who shockingly stopped Anthony Joshua in 2019. No matter how his career had gone after that point, he would have always had that night.
Yet still, many fans have found themselves frustrated by what the American has done since. Immediately after becoming unified heavyweight champion, Ruiz turned up overweight for the Joshua rematch and lost in a very uninspired performance.
And since then? Ruiz has scored a win over a 40-year-old Chris Arreola (who dropped him), a 43-year-old Luis Ortiz, and drawn with Jarrell Miller in a fight most viewers thought Miller should have won.
The Miller fight was on the 3rd of August, 2024, and Ruiz has not fought since. While there has been speculation that he may be signing with Zuffa Boxing, there has been nothing official.
In his prime, Ruiz was considered to have some of the fastest hands and one of the toughest chins in the heavyweight division. And while those things may very well still apply, Ruiz is now 36 years old and is running out of time to get the opportunities he needs to keep going.
Well, Ruiz has now named one fighter who he would like to face, and it’s a very exciting up-and-comer.
Speaking to Casino.org, Ruiz voiced his desire to face Moses Itauma, the undefeated Briton who has hugely impressed in recent weeks.
Ruiz referred to Itauma as “a bad man” and said, “He could be a champion for sure in a few years.”
He then stated, “I don’t back down from any fight, but I want to be ready to fight. I want to get at least two fights in first. Then if they put me in with him, I’ll be ready, and it will be a great fight.”
Itauma is someone who desperately needs rounds right now. Ruiz, who is known for having a chin, may just be the one to give him them.
Though it must be said that the last man Itauma fought (Jermaine Franklin) was also an American known for having a great chin, and he ended up flat on his face in five rounds.
The boxing world will just have to wait and see what happens.
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