Andy Ruiz still gunning for fights with Deontay Wilder and Luis Ortiz
Heavyweight Andy “The Destroyer” Ruiz (34-2, 22 KO’s) has had something of an odd professional ride. The friendly professional pain provider’s entire reality changed after his June 6, 2019 prizefight with Anthony Joshua. Brought in as a late replacement, and expected to lose, Ruiz shook up the entire division when he stopped Joshua in seven. With the single victory, he went from being recognized exclusively by hardcore fans to being the most belt-holding champion at heavyweight.
Given how dominant he was in the first Joshua bout, Ruiz was expected to repeat the feat. Sadly, the Destroyer suffered a severe dip in discipline in between the two fights. So much so that he was shamefully out of shape and beaten fairly easily when they met again. The tremendous fall from grace transformed Ruiz into an industry punchline and plunged him into a bout of depression. Thankfully, the Californian bruiser dusted himself off, changed trainers and rededicated himself to the sport.
In his last in-ring effort, the first since his rematch with Joshua, Ruiz sported a whole new physique and outlook on his career. Unfortunately, in that bout versus Chris Arreola, the Destroyer struggled mightily and was even dropped in the second round. There is no shortage of fans or observers who felt that Arreola should have gotten the nod. Despite the lackluster nature of his performance, Ruiz insists that he wants to be champion again.
BRING ME THE BOMBER!
To earn his way back to the top of the mountain, Ruiz understands that he will have to scratch and claw back the hard way. In order to so, he already has his eye on a few key players. Actually, the names bouncing around his brain are nothing new. One of those individuals is former WBC world heavyweight champion Deontay “The Bronze Bomber” Wilder (42-2-1, 41 KO’s).
The idea of this fight has been floated around previously but few gave it much thought. Now that Wilder is coming off of his back-to-back losses to Tyson Fury, the Alabaman is also in dire need of name brand competition. For this reason, a Wilder versus Ruiz dustup could be extremely beneficial to both fighters. In a recent interview conducted on the Last Stand Podcast with Brian Custer, the Destroyer reaffirmed his interest in that clash.
“I think that would be an amazing fight, me against Deontay Wilder! We’re both part of the same team and it’s all business, so I wouldn’t mind getting in the ring with him. I feel like I could beat him. We got to get it on!”
THE KING OF SKULL ISLAND
Understanding that there is more than one way to skin a cat, Andy Ruiz explained to Custer that he is also very open to a dustup with Luis “King Kong” Ortiz (32-2, 27 KO’s). Along with Wilder and Ruiz, Ortiz needs a significant dance partner, himself. And given the ferocity with which most in the division still sidestep him, a showdown with Ruiz could be just what the doctor ordered.
“Of course! Actually, in my last fight, that’s exactly why I wanted to fight Charles Martin; because I wanted to get used to a lefty before I fight Luis Ortiz. But [for] thirty something fights people have been saying that [I’m an easy out] but until they get in the ring with me, that’s when they have problems and they’re like, ‘wow!’ That’s when they underestimate me but when Luis Ortiz gets in the ring with me, he’s going to be like, ‘damn this little hot pepper Mexican boy fucking gots it!”
By: Bakari Simpson
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