In a challenging night for Andy Ruiz Jr., the former unified heavyweight champion suffered a unanimous-decision defeat to Damian Knyba at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, on Friday evening. This loss severely hampers Ruiz's aspirations of reclaiming a title in boxing's heavyweight division, leaving him with a professional record of 35 wins, 3 losses, and 1 draw.
Knyba emerged victorious with scores of 117-110 and 114-113 on two judges' cards, a result that many observers felt did not accurately reflect the fight's dynamics. The Guardian scored the bout 117-110 in favor of Knyba, underscoring the one-sided nature of the contest. Ruiz's performance raised concerns, particularly as he struggled to find his rhythm against the Polish fighter, who showcased superior technique and strategy throughout the match.
After the fight, Knyba expressed his elation, stating, “This feeling is so amazing. Not many people in the world can feel what I’m feeling right now.” The victory marked a significant milestone for Knyba, who improved his record to 18 wins and 1 loss, with 11 of those victories coming by knockout.
Ruiz, who turns 37 next week, was returning to the ring after a lengthy 762-day hiatus. Unfortunately, he appeared out of sorts, lacking the speed and agility that once characterized his fighting style. The night was particularly difficult for Ruiz, who seemed unable to cope with Knyba's reach and jab, which consistently found its target. As the rounds progressed, it became evident that Ruiz was struggling to adapt, looking more like a fighter past his prime than a contender eager to reclaim his former glory.
Seven years ago, Ruiz stunned the boxing world by defeating Anthony Joshua at Madison Square Garden, marking a historic upset that made him the first fighter of Mexican descent to win a world heavyweight title. However, his reign was short-lived, as he lost the titles back to Joshua in a rematch just six months later. Since then, Ruiz has fought only three times in over six years, and Friday's bout was seen as a critical opportunity for him to mount a comeback.
The fight began with Knyba establishing control early on, utilizing a long jab while maintaining distance from Ruiz. The Polish fighter's strategy paid off, as he effectively neutralized Ruiz's attempts to engage. The turning point of the match came in the seventh round when Knyba landed a powerful combination that sent Ruiz to the canvas, marking a significant moment in the fight.
Despite a brief resurgence in the eighth round, where Ruiz managed to land some effective punches, Knyba quickly regained control. As the fight progressed, it became clear that Ruiz was unable to match Knyba's pace and power, leading to a series of unanswered jabs in the final rounds. Ruiz himself acknowledged the challenges he faced, stating, “It was just him holding every time I tried to come in. He’d hold me really tight and I couldn’t let my combinations go.”
Prior to this bout, Ruiz's path back to title contention seemed plausible, especially with Oleksandr Usyk vacating his titles earlier this year. However, this defeat raises questions about his future in the sport. Ruiz remains optimistic, asserting, “Of course I do, man. It was just a long layoff and it was a great opponent.” He emphasized his desire to take on challenging opponents, indicating that he is not ready to give up on his boxing career just yet.
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