Andy Ruiz was once a unified heavyweight champion before his career stalled in the last two years due to injuries. Now, the Mexican is stepping back into the ring to face Jarrell Miller, an opponent who has become a friend in the meantime. However, this Saturday there are no friendships: he needs to win in order to get revenge at some point against an old enemy, Joseph Parker.
“For me, the next opponent is Jarrell Miller. God willing, let’s get that win and hopefully I can repeat it with Joseph Parker. I would love to get that rematch. Of course, I value Jarrell Miller very highly. Any fighter inside that ring is dangerous. You can’t underestimate anybody. We have to be ready. We have to be ready for whatever comes our way. We just have to get that win,” he said.
Andy Ruiz, almost two years KO
Andy Ruiz has 35 wins (23 by KO) and two losses (one to Parker and another to Joshua). He has not fought since September 4, 2022, when he defeated Cuban Luis Ortiz. In the last five years, only one more fight against Chris Arreola. At 34 years old, the Mexican is looking to resurrect in the ring.
“The most important thing is to get the win, get back in action and be ready to fight those greats. For me, personally, I’d like to have two fights, against people who are in the top ten or top fifteen. I’ll fight anybody after this fight. I just want to fight the best. Joseph Parker is doing amazing things right now. He beat Wilder and he beat Zhang. I would love to fight him too,” he acknowledged.
“It’s time to come back, it’s a good fight for me.”
“Back in the day Miller challenged me. We were in Detroit, I had just won and he got in the ring and wanted to fight me. I said, ‘You know what? Let’s do it right now, let’s do it, I’ll put the gloves on and we’ll do it.’ After the years went by, we actually became, I don’t want to say super good friends, but we became friends,” he explained.
“We’re friends outside the ring, but inside the ring it’s all business. It’s time to get back in the ring. It’s all business, nothing personal. Let’s go for it,” he said.
“I think it’s a good fight for me. Especially because I haven’t been in the ring for 18 months and because of my shoulder. I’m not saying it’s a lightweight or that it’s an easy fight, because all fights are tough. You can’t underestimate anybody. I think this is the perfect fight for my comeback,” he commented.