Former Heavyweight Champ Andy Ruiz Returning With New Promoter

On Wednesday Matchroom Boxing made an official announcement that former unified heavyweight champ Andy Ruiz has signed a multi-fight promotional deal with them to return to the ring later in 2026.

The Californian Ruiz, 35-2-1, 22 KOs, shocked the boxing world in June 2019 when he stopped the WBA/WBO/IBF champ, England's Anthony Joshua at Madison Square Garden in New York,  and making history as Mexico's first heavyweight world champion.

That bout was actually promoted by Matchroom with Ruiz added as a late replacement for New Yorker Jarrell Miller, whom had failed a PED pre-fight test.

Ruiz's fame at the top of the most coveted spot in the sport was promptly lost, when he gave the titles back to Joshua in a one-sided decision in Saudi Arabia six months later in December of 2021.

The now 36 year old has been largely inactive for the five years since and was last in the ring in August 2024 fighting to a majority draw against Miller in Los Angeles on the Terence Crawford-Israil Madrimov PPV.

From the Matchroom release,

“I’m so happy and thankful for signing with Matchroom and taking other step forward to continue my mission and to become a two-time champion of the world for Mexico,” said Ruiz. “I believe everything happens for a season and I’m so grateful God is giving me a second opportunity to do everything right. Sometime God breaks you to make you a better person and a better fighter.

“I made history with Matchroom and the DAZN and best believe we are going to do it again in God almighty’s name, amen baby, let’s go!

“Thank you to all my coaches for still believing in me, we are going to make a big statement in the Heavyweight division.”

Ruiz was promoted for years by Premier Boxing champions and  has also recorded decision victories over Chris Arreola and Luis Ortiz, both in Los Angeles before his clash with "Big Baby" two years ago.

Matchroom said in the release that they will  have a Ruiz fight on Friday of this week, but The Ring Magazine reported already this week that Ruiz would return September 4th against Poland's Damian Knyba. Knyba, 17-1, was kayoed in three rounds by newly elevated WBC champ Agit Kabayel back in January.

“I’m delighted to welcome Andy to the team,” said Hearn. “The Heavyweight landscape is always evolving, and a fully fit and firing Andy Ruiz Jr. is a nightmare for anyone in the division.

“Andy shocked the world in New York with his stunning victory over AJ, and if ‘The Destroyer’ from that night returns to the ring, there is no doubt he can become a two-time World champion.”

Hearn is trying to keep up with his fellow British promoter Frank Warren and Queensberry Boxing, which has a longer list of heavyweights including WBO champ Daniel Dubois, the man he took the title from, Fabio Wardley, top contender Moses Itauma and others.

Ruiz had considerable "buzz" around him with the Joshua upset, but that has long evaporated and he'll have to score a major victory to get traction back at this point.