ANDY RUIZ JR sets his sights on using a victory over Jarrell Miller as a launching pad to reenter the world heavyweight title race.
Almost four years have passed since the Mexican-American boxer astounded the sports world with his victory over Anthony Joshua in a remarkable evening at Madison Square Garden. Ruiz graciously stepped in as a replacement for the original opponent, Miller, who had unfortunately tested positive for a prohibited substance.
In the ring, Joshua and Ruiz engaged in a heated battle, resulting in a thrilling shoot-out. Despite being the smaller heavyweight, Ruiz emerged victorious in the seventh round with four knockdowns shared between the fighters. Ruiz’s reign as champion lasted for six months. However, the tables turned when the British fighter adopted a cautious strategy, prioritizing safety over aggression. This approach allowed him to defeat the reigning champion and reclaim his three world titles.
Since his second defeat, Ruiz’s career has been far from active. He has only participated in two fights, leaving him in a stagnant position. Despite winning against Chris Arreola and Luis Ortiz by points, these victories have failed to ignite any sense of ambition.
Ruiz and Miller, aware of the catastrophic consequences of defeat, will set aside their friendship on August 3. The inaugural Riyadh Season event in the US, showcasing the collaboration of prominent promoters, will be headlined by Terence Crawford vs. Israil Madrimov. The undercard will showcase the skills of David Morrell, Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz, Andy Cruz, and the highly anticipated match between Tim Tszyu and Vergil Ortiz Jr.
Today’s launch press conference was staged at Gotham Hall in New York where Boxing News spoke to the 34-year-old Ruiz about facing Miller.
He expressed that there is no animosity or negative talk between us,” he stated. “Outside of the boxing ring, we maintain a friendly relationship, but once we step inside, it’s strictly business. Essentially, he will transform into my opponent once we’re in the ring. We will activate that competitive mindset. It’s going to be a thrilling match.”
“He is a formidable individual, constantly pressing forward and persistently throwing punches. However, I firmly believe that my well-executed combinations, swiftness, agility, deceptive maneuvers, and overall strategy will overwhelm him.”
Ruiz, who suffered a defeat against Joseph Parker in their WBO title bout in New Zealand back in 2016, is confident that securing victory against Miller, along with another triumph, could once again grant him the opportunity to compete against the top contenders in the division.
“Prioritizing the win, my first goal is to ensure victory,” he declared. “I need to climb up the ranks once more. Although I’m not too distant from achieving that, I must participate in two fights to solidify my position. Additionally, I would also relish the opportunity to face Joseph Parker.”
“I aim to regain my momentum by participating in these fights, and my ultimate desire is to face Joseph Parker, Wilder, and Joshua – all of them. I simply need to re-establish myself within the ring.”
