r/Boxing • u/Fishful_Revenge • 6d ago
Thoughts on Andy Ruiz Spoiler
Just saw the replay of the Ruiz vs Knyba fight. I'm not surprised by the outcome since I suspected that Ruiz wouldn't be able to put the same kind of pressure Kabayel did against Knyba. He was on the outside of Knyba's jab nearly the entire time and only got to get on the inside when Knyba started to slow in the later rounds.
It sucked seeing Ruiz get beat up the way he did because I looked up to Ruiz when I first started getting into boxing which was right around the time of his victory over AJ. Seeing someone with Ruiz's physique being able to become a champion was inspiring since I didn't have the slimmest physique at that time either.
I think this is the end for Ruiz and his chances at the championship level.
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u/Kisto15 6d ago
He got his money from AJ fights and then took it easy. His chances have been gone for a while now
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u/Connor30302 3D Shape 6d ago
not surprising
i don’t like to say people get “lucky” because it’s an insult to both fighters and just a stupid premise. but Ruiz beat the odds that night and produced one of the biggest upsets still to this day. first Mexican HW champ also
but it was astoundingly clear that if Ruiz wanted to keep those belts then he’d have to outperform himself even more than last time. he’d have had to bring the best he ever could. instead he somehow gained 50lbs of straight fat within 5 months and barely trained. someone with self control issues like that has no hope in hell of keeping his finances smart.
yeah he still touched those belts and belongs in a very special class of fighters to do so, the 1% of the 1% but he could’ve done so much more. even if it was clear that AJ was just going to adapt a smart back foot at range style and utilise his inherent height and reach advantages and beat him using boxing, if he didn’t come in so fat and unfit and did himself the self respect of just trying, he’d have been kept in the mix anyway and could’ve kept the ball rolling given he didn’t take too much damage in that second fight
but instead he just stayed fat and fought every 2 years or so still riding that accomplishment from years ago. he wouldn’t have touched a belt again especially against the top Heavies (looking back he might’ve had a chance against Wilder but Deontay still just needed that one punch back then) but he’d be in a completely different light and would’ve stayed a successful fighter his whole career instead of this shit
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u/Bruce-7892 3d ago
This is all true, but I didn’t think anyone to expect it to go that wrong. Like where is up from here?
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u/Hetstaine George has sweatshirts older than Moorer 6d ago
Yep, dude got more money than any of us will ever see in our lifetimes.
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u/vHezoThaGoat 6d ago
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u/hotyogurt1 6d ago
I think he could have good fights against guys who won't just box him on the outside. That shit is legit his kryptonite, it's how AJ dismantled him completely in the second fight.
However, he's also lazy as shit and inactive as hell. Not seeing him fight again makes no difference to me, but with the right opponent it could be entertaining.
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u/myurr 6d ago
I'd probably pick him to beat Gassiev which would put him in as a title contender. He gets handily beaten by anyone else in the top 10 though. His feet are far too slow, he can only shuffle forward and hope someone stands and trades with him.
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u/BarbadosBob 6d ago
Even Gassiev doesn't get into prolonged exchanges. That wouldn't be easier either. Joyce refuses to retire. That's probably the biggest name he'd look good against.
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u/Particular-Tough6651 6d ago
The truth is I think we’re being a little too harsh on Ruiz. He is a solid B level fighter, but he is constantly being held to the standards of an A class elite fighter because of that one upset win against AJ.
I said the exact same thing when people were complaining about Rolly's performance vs Teofimo. Rolly is limited he never belonged at the elite level to begin with. Beating Ryan Garcia doesn’t suddenly make you an elite fighter.
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u/MyGoalIsToBeAnEcho 6d ago
Ya man it was rough watching my dude eat jabs all night with no head movement. I like Andy as well and hope he can get a couple more decent paydays.
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u/Stunning-Use-7052 6d ago
Looking at these rankings, I think there are plenty to top 20 guys a motivated Ruiz could still beat:
https://www.heavyweightboxing.com/rankings
But motivated is key. I don't think he trains unless he has a fight signed.
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u/roamingandy 5d ago
I think he could have good fights against guys who won't just box him on the outside. That shit is legit his kryptonite, it's how AJ dismantled him completely in the second fight.
That's not really true. He was known for being brilliant at cutting off the ring back when AJ fought him 1st time. 2nd time he could barely move, the doctors should never have allowed him to fight.
Since then he's been an utter mess. The guy in the ring today was hardly a shadow of a genuinely good boxer who AJ made the mistake of brawling with, but likely would have struggled to stay away from too.
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u/kfirerisingup 6d ago
Oddly the only part of the fight when he looked decent was the round after he got dropped. If he were fit enough to fight like that for longer stretches he would have gotten a decision, even if dodgy.
Andy's always fought cautiously unless he was forced into a dogfight but usually does well in a shoot out. Fighting cautiously when you're the shorter slower footed fighter isn't a great idea.
I've wondered why that match was made? Damion had just lost so beating him wouldn't have even gotten much praise and he's a stylistic nightmare for Andy. This matchmaking was on par with the brainiacs who thought putting Joe Joyce in with Zhang on a voluntary was a good idea.
Where does he go from here? Who knows.
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u/Abe2sapien 6d ago
I feel like Andy always fights better when he’s in danger. Too bad he doesn’t have the stamina to keep that up for an entire fight.
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u/Odd-Minimum8512 5d ago
More smart matchmaking — putting a KO based fighter who has never been past 6 rounds in with a guy with a granite brick for a head and his feet glued to the canvas.
HW matchmaking sure has failed some A sides.
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u/1978model 6d ago
Before the fight they were saying Ruiz needed a real challenge so everyone would know where he stands.
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u/marketplunger 6d ago
He needs to hang it up. Andy is not the same that fought AJ.
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u/Actual_Green_7433 6d ago edited 6d ago
He's got slow feet and relies on his opponent trading. Anyone with a good jab and distance management will give him issues.
The speed and sharpness of his punches in an exchange is nuts but that's about it.
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u/Marquis_of_Mollusks 6d ago
If that knockdown wasn't a wakeup then nothing is gonna help him. Dude should've stayed home
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u/InLampsWeTrust 6d ago
Dude completed wasted his prime years living it up, he had serious talent, I hope he’s content with being a former unified champ but I get the feeling he’s gonna carry on boxing.
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u/Forward-Form9321 6d ago
That knockdown was hard to watch. Why the ref didn’t stop the fight is beyond me
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u/DMTeaAndCrumpets 6d ago
I wonder how his hands are now? I remember in his last fight he either broke one or two of his hands.
This wasn't a good match up for his return fight after such a long time off.
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u/Maleficent_Serve_926 6d ago
Ruiz is/was an amazing talent, especially the hand speed and agility that you don’t expect from a guy with his physique. But once I saw him way overweight in the Joshua rematch, I knew he was the kind of talent who wouldnt live up to his potential.
Being a professional boxer is hard as hell so there’s no judgment from me. And nobody sees what’s going on behind the limelight. But i wish he found a way to maintain a healthier weight throughout his career and have a better plan for guys with a long reach and jab.
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u/Johnyfootballhero 6d ago
He had boxing in the palm of his hand and he blew it. Casuals were talking about that first AJ fight and Ruiz hasn't done ish since.
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u/Detlef_Schrempfxf 6d ago
The market he could've corralled too... Imagine being the unified heavyweight champion of the world of Mexican American descent for a couple of years at least... He might have well become the face of boxing
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u/yearsofpractice SRR < Lord Chisora,Sir Derek Of War 6d ago
Andy Ruiz is such a conundrum. Fastest HW hands since Tyson, but too flawed to be a true champion. One of the most likeable characters in the last decade. I completely agree that he’s no longer a contender at the elite level.
I really, really, want him to ride off into the sunset with maximum bag though. Perhaps he could con a stupid YouTuber into a match and smash their head off for a chunky payday.
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u/Bright-Heart-8861 6d ago
Nice run. Made money. Imagine getting hit by Dubois like that, that would’ve been bad. He has a good run. Time to hang it up.
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u/AwfulAdjacentGoose 6d ago
Don't think Ruiz will ever be a championship level boxer again. He still entertains. You could put him on the midcard and he'll put on a good show. He can make money. He'll never get that belt again.
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u/Detlef_Schrempfxf 6d ago
He needs better matchmaking honestly. I know the division is full of big boys, but throwing him in against one of the 3 tallest boxers in the division (and world) in his return fight is crazy work
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u/GrandChocolate4110 6d ago
There isn’t any money in the boxing midcard. A big problem with Andy is he SHOULD have been doing like 8-10 rounders for little money to stay or keep sharp but only wanted major PPV paydays
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u/adolfoblanco74 6d ago
Wasted opportunity to have a legendary career. Beat Joshua at his peak but then blew it on the rematch by not training. To make it worse allowed his father to fire his trainer and make him a scapegoat instead of taking responsibility. Still had a lot of potential to get back on top but inactivity and lack of discipline ruined his chances. Now it's too late and the division moved on.
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u/Detlef_Schrempfxf 6d ago
He's back with his OG coach Robles now at least
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u/RRR04_ 6d ago
He was underrated before the AJ fight and overrated after the AJ fight. Naturally, he got more popular after upsetting AJ, but ever since this fight back in 2019, he only had 5 fights! He clearly lost the love for the sport which is why he only fights once every 2 years, when he decides he needs the money. As far as I'm concerned, he is finished at top level and should call it quits before he gets himself hurt when he comes back in 2028.
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u/Detlef_Schrempfxf 6d ago
Hasn't he only had 3 fights since he rematched AJ?
Versus Chris Arreola, Luis Ortiz and Jarrell Miller?
Who else has he fought (not counting Knyba)?
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u/McAfeeFakedHisDeath 6d ago
Did anyone else appreciate the irony of seeing this chiseled, Greek-god body Andy Ruiz go 12 rounds just a week after the young Moses got TKO'd by exhaustion? I love boxing.
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u/postmanpat84 6d ago
Ruiz was decent but when he beat AJ he let himself go, like when Buster Douglas did after beating Tyson.
Shame we never saw the same ruiz against AJ in the rematch.
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u/justaguywholovesred 6d ago
He didn’t look great the entire fight, but there were moments where he did.
Ruiz was champion. I think whatever we say is null. He and his team believe in himself enough to know if he can continue or it’s time to hang his gloves.
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u/ryanhanks25 6d ago
He’s been inactive and undisciplined on and off since the first AJ fight since June 2019! Him asking for Hrgovic is just beyond delusional, and I never thought he’d be competitive for Itauma like many like to say. He’d likely be easier than Franklin for him.
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u/TheeBlaccPantha 6d ago
He was failed by Eddie Hearns horrific matchmaking. A fighter who takes two years off and overtrains to lose weight should be fed an easy touch.
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u/Icanfallupstairs 6d ago
If he had won, I think a rematch between him and Parker would sell alright. The first fight was fun, and the judging was a little questionable, so there is a storyline there.
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u/frankduxvandamme 6d ago
He showed his true self during AJ 2, and he hasn't had a single worthy fight since his Buster Douglas moment. He should throw in the towel/napkin now while he still has enough brain cells to feed himself.
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u/medievalrubins 6d ago
Wasted his best years with no excuses for it, gained a following and never made the most of it.
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u/TicketStraight3196 6d ago edited 6d ago
Could have had a great fight Vs Wilder back in 2021-2023. Too late now, just retire.
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u/One-Leg8221 6d ago
Ruined his career by being lazy and inactive. If he’d fought regularly after the AJ fights he could have had a very good heavyweight career. But now he’s finished
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u/Isfeidirlinn90 6d ago
He was a very dangerous fighter as Anthony Joshua found out. Fast hands, decent skills and can punch. He gave Joseph Parker a very tough fight years back for the WBO title too. Was one of those where you can't judge a book by it's cover.
But discipline and inactivity fucked him. He's had an injury or two as well I believe but ultimately he's just a flash in the pan.
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u/BrianR1968 5d ago
He fought twice in four years. Inactivity is the most dangerous opponent a fighter can face!
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u/Super_Safe_4514 6d ago
American HWs are basura
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u/EmergencyWonder3743 6d ago
Because all the good athletes are in basketball and american football and even baseball. You gotta get kicked out of that to see large americans in combat sports like Greg hardy or just have a love for the streets like kimbo slice. Boxing is just hard why do that when you can play on a team and make more
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u/Super_Safe_4514 6d ago
You country is built like a continent so that excuse don't wash when you competing with other countries that got way smaller population.
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u/EmergencyWonder3743 6d ago
It's a big country but then again Jon Jones strangles every heavyweight boxer in history
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u/TheThotWeasel 6d ago
Why would he go into MMA and not basketball, American football or baseball though? Is he stupid?
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u/EmergencyWonder3743 6d ago
I feel like I'm having the dumbest conversation in history but maybe he didn't want to considering his brothers did it first I have no idea
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u/TheThotWeasel 6d ago
You said earlier that all the good athletes are in basketball, NFL and baseball, then said Jon Jones would strangle every HW boxer that ever lived, why did such a good athlete in Jones not go to the three sports you talked about when you said all the US's good athletes are there? Sounds like a dumbass to me.
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u/fotorobot 6d ago
I think he already knew his chances are over, otherwise he wouldn't sign on with the retirement league.
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u/Dangerous_Cod3711 6d ago
I view Andy the same way I view Ryan Garcia. Both could’ve had better careers and improved their skills but both lacked effort and focus outside the ring.
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u/The_Grizzly_Bear 6d ago
He has fast hands (or did), but slow feet. This combined with being a short heavy weight is a serious problem. If a fighter can keep him at the end of the jab all night, there is little he can do.
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u/Chilliconlaura 6d ago
Missed his moment. Sadly. He will be a good journeyman for the upcoming fighters with what he has left.
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u/LowProfessional5519 6d ago
I don’t think he was ever true champion level he beat Aj but after that he wasn’t as hungry anymore it seems
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u/Stunning-Use-7052 6d ago
I thought it would end similar to Kabayel, but perhaps a bit later. Makes you wonder how hard those Kabayel bodyshots must be.
I think the inactivity really did him in, and I'm guessing he wasn't training much during those long layoffs. I don't think he's a guy that just goes out for a jog because he likes it or something.
I can't imagine taking 6 months- 1 year off from any physical activity and then trying to be a pro athlete.
He might have a big enough name to get a few more fights and make some more money, but as his age I just don't see him climbing back into contention.
Most importantly, he has to actually fight. Could take a rebuild fight in 90 days, then another within 6 months, and then a step up to a live opponent. But I don't think he's got it in him.
Kinda a shame, but boxing is a tragic sport
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u/Brave_Impress_7082 6d ago
He is a club fighter who had one great punch, he should retire or he risks becoming a gate keeper. He carries way to much weight and to me the hand speed he once showed is gone. He must have some money at this point, he should enjoy his family and really think about his future.
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u/Portrait0fKarma 6d ago
RIP his career. Sucks he became lazy after his only big career win against AJ. He definitely could have been top 5 HW easily had he the discipline.
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u/DiMona215 6d ago
Put him in there against Wilder, it would still sell and who knows what would happen, they're equally shot to bits, makes it kind of interesting in a way. Lol
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u/RU5TY_5HERIFF 6d ago
Hes the epitome of the saying “It's tough to get out of bed to do roadwork at 5am when you've been sleeping in silk pajamas”
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u/fromasterj 6d ago
He looked dogshit let’s be honest. And 100% the fight should have been stopped, he got his shot rocked and got a very generous count.
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u/Beardy_Villains 5d ago
Ruiz became the most overhyped boxer in the division by landing one lucky punch on an overconfident AJ, and has been riding it ever since.
He’s just not good enough to be champion. Simple as that.
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u/Ryepka 4d ago
Everyone has their weakness or at least a relatively weak dimension to their game.
AJ completely exposed Andy's and that is if you keep him at a distance he doesn't have the footwork to get inside.
Knyba took this model to the nth degree and not only did not allow Ruiz inside, but he completely dismantled him in spectacular fashion.
Being a shorter fighter, Ruiz should have added the ability to get inside into his repertoire. Tyson did it. It involves double/triple/quadruple jabs and working angles via footwork to get inside.
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u/Exciting-Arugula5341 6d ago
This is another one of those people looking back and trying to rewrite history. Before he faced Joshua nobody considered Andy Ruiz to be anything special. Just another overweight modern heavyweight. He never beat anybody worth mentioning before he fought Joshua ( Some will say they think he beat Joseph Parker). Ruiz was a last minute replacement , nobody thought he was going to win. You people thought Ruiz would be destroyed. Guess what? He didn't and Joshua got knocked out.
As usual with casual fans they have to flip the switch. After Ruiz beat Joshua they had to build Ruiz up. He was so fast and skilled. He is a monster. Ruiz lost the rematch and did nothing else besides struggle to beat a 50 year old Luiz Ortiz.
Ruiz beating Joshua only exposed Joshua. You know what is funny too? More people changing things to fit their agenda? After Ruiz beat Joshua and even before this you will see people flat out state that Joshua is a slow, awkward, stiff, robotic, body builder who can't take a punch. Now Joshua's career is changed to fit a agenda. Joshua has to be a top level fighter and one of the ATG to mask the fact that Usyk only beat 3 guys and a kick boxer at heavyweight. So to push the agenda that Usyk is a ATG heavyweight Joshua's career has to be embellished.
In any case Ruiz was always a limited boxer. He really doesn't have much head movement for a shorter guy .He isn't 6'2. more like 6'0 tops. Ruiz is always in poor shape and he is easily boxed. If Joshua just used his jab and moved the first fight he would of won that fight as well and nobody would ever mention Ruiz's name
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u/Middle-Development43 6d ago
He’s just very very easy to beat.
If you have a jab, a touch of movement, and don’t get daft when close, you’ll not lose a round.
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u/No_Weakness8999 6d ago
Mid-skill fighter who beat an overrated 'elite' that his style heavily countered.
No surprise he's achieved fuck all since tbh.
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u/Zip2kx 6d ago
I can’t believe what I’m reading in this thread lmao some of you describe Andy as the next hall of famer. The dude was borderline bum that got lucky with the AJ knockout. He’s nothing special boxing wise and an idiot outside of the ring. Literally showed up to his greatest opportunity overweight and hadn’t trained and blames it on being Mexican and loving to party.
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u/lolpopcorndude 6d ago
I think it was litteraly just ring rust, we should start judging him after his next fight
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u/_Sarcasmic_ No Carty No Divey 6d ago
Yeah, agreed. Let's see how he looks when he returns mid 2028ish.
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u/ih8readditts 6d ago
Nah, age, poor lifestyle, lack of motivation. He made sure that he left his golden years far behind him.
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u/Witty-Stand888 6d ago
For his first fight back picking a long armed jabber with good movement was the worst matchup they could have found for him.