Former heavyweight champion Andy Ruiz Jr. is set to make his return to the boxing ring on Friday night, September 4, 2026, as he takes on Poland's Damian Knyba at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. This matchup marks a significant moment for Ruiz, who has not fought in over two years, and Knyba, who is looking to bounce back from a recent setback. The fight is part of the third edition of The Fight, a monthly boxing series promoted by Matchroom Boxing and broadcasted on TNT Sports and DAZN.
Andy Ruiz, known for his explosive speed and power, enters the bout with a professional record of 35 wins, 2 losses, and 1 draw, with 22 of those victories coming by knockout. At 36 years old, Ruiz is approaching a pivotal point in his career, especially considering his last fight ended in a majority draw against Jarrell Miller in August 2024. This contest against Knyba is particularly important as it is Ruiz's first fight under his new contract with Matchroom Boxing, and he will be eager to make a strong impression.
On the other side of the ring, Damian Knyba, who is 30 years old and stands 6-foot-7 with an impressive 86-inch reach, brings a record of 17 wins and 1 loss, with 11 knockouts. Knyba's last outing saw him suffer a TKO loss to WBC champion Agit Kabayel in January 2026, placing him in a must-win situation against Ruiz. The Polish fighter has competed at the Prudential Center three times before and will be looking to leverage his height and reach advantage against the former champion.
The stakes are high for both fighters as Ruiz aims to reclaim his status in the heavyweight division, while Knyba seeks to prove that he belongs among the elite. The bout is scheduled for 12 rounds, and fans are eager to see if Ruiz can shake off the ring rust after such a lengthy absence. His speed and technique have often been touted as some of the best in the heavyweight class, and he will need to showcase that against a younger and taller opponent.
Fans can tune in to watch the fight starting at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT, with the main event ring walks expected to take place between 10:15 and 11 p.m. ET. The uncertainty surrounding the exact timing of the ring walks is due to the undercard fights, which can vary in length. The event promises to be an exciting night of boxing, featuring a total of eight bouts, including a co-main event between Vito Mielnicki Jr. and Austin “Ammo” Williams for the WBO Global title.
As Ruiz steps back into the spotlight, all eyes will be on how he performs against Knyba. With both fighters motivated to secure a victory, this heavyweight clash is set to deliver an intriguing matchup that could have significant implications for their respective careers.
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