Newark, NJ — Former unified heavyweight champion Andy Ruiz Jr. hit a massive roadblock in his latest comeback attempt, dropping a unanimous decision to Polish heavyweight Damian Knyba at the Prudential Center in New Jersey.
The 36-year-old Mexican-American, forever etched in boxing history for his stunning 2019 upset over Anthony Joshua, struggled to find his rhythm in what was only his fourth bout since the Joshua rematch. Surviving a serious scare in the seventh round, Ruiz was sent to the canvas and ultimately saved by the bell.
Knyba, who improved his professional record to 18-1, utilized his size and strategy to keep the former champion at bay. The judges ultimately scored the contest 117-110, 114-113, and 114-113 in favor of the Polish contender.
Ring Rust and Clashing Styles
Ruiz, who recently joined forces with Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn, admitted that a long layoff played a factor in his performance. Prior to this bout, Ruiz had not fought since a split draw against Jarrell Miller in August 2024.
However, the former champion also pointed to Knyba’s defensive tactics as a major reason for his offensive struggles.
“I think it was just him holding,” Ruiz explained post-fight. “Every time I tried to come in, he’d hold me really tight, and I just couldn’t let my combinations go. He played a good game plan, but I’d love to run it back and do things a lot different.”
“I’ve Still Got It In Me”: Ruiz Demands a Rematch
Despite the setback and ongoing battles with injuries over the past seven years, Ruiz remains defiant about his future in the heavyweight division. He made it clear that he deliberately avoided a tune-up fight, opting instead to test himself against a formidable opponent.
“It was just a long layoff, and it was a great opponent. I didn’t want to take an easy fight, so that’s why I took Damian,” Ruiz stated. “He’s a big guy. But we’ve got to take risks. I’ve still got it in me, man. I’ve just got to stay active and I want to fight again.”
Whether Knyba grants an immediate rematch remains to be seen, but Ruiz is determined to stay active and prove he still belongs in the upper echelon of the heavyweight landscape.
