ANDY RUIZ JR has opened up on his stunning weight loss journey since his crushing defeat to Anthony Joshua.
‘The Destroyer’ shocked the world seven years ago by handing AJ his first professional defeat on a few weeks’ notice to become unified heavyweight champion.
5
5
Ruiz Jr dropped the Watford warrior FOUR TIMES on his way to earning a seventh-round TKO victory.
The pair rematched in a Saudi showdown six months later, but the then-champion had ballooned up by over a STONE and lost the belts in a lopsided points decision.
5
Ruiz Jr has made a conscious effort to lose his extra timber in recent years and looks on course to weigh the lightest he’s been in over five years when he takes on Damian Knyba this weekend.
But despite his impressive weight loss, he’s far from satisfied with his physique.
READ MORE BOXING NEWS
‘NEED YOU’
Rocky star Tommy Morrison’s boxing ace son raises diagnosed with stage 4 cancer
BACK A WINNER
Horse racing free bets, bonuses and top offers from our racing partners
During an appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show, he said of his weight gain after the first AJ fight.
“I was probably about 300lbs; I’m now 257lbs.
“I like where I am at; I’m not where I want to be at, but it’s great progress.
“I want to be more chiselled. I want to look like Anthony Joshua.
Most read in Sport
SURGERY SHOCK
Ex-Man Utd star McTominay to undergo heart surgery as statement released
SKIS THE LIMIT
BBC scrap legendary Ski Sunday after 50 YEARS in major broadcasting change
ENZ GAME
Man City agree British record £125million Enzo Fernandez transfer
LEGEND GONE
Legendary goalkeeper who spent 22 years at same club dies as tributes pour in
SUN VEGAS WELCOME OFFER: GET UP TO £100 BONUS
The Home of Boxing in 2026
There’s a massive year of boxing ahead!
It has already been a blockbuster year inside the ring, and it is not going to stop anytime soon!
All eyes are focused on when Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury will get in the ring, with the pair due to finally settle their decade-long rivalry.
Katie Taylor calls time on her illustrious career this weekend at Croke Park as she faces Flora Pili, with the chance to become a three-time undisputed champion.
Conor Benn fights for his first world title one week later against Ryan Garcia in Las Vegas – it is The Destroyer’s second bout for Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing.
October’s action doesn’t stop either, with Fabio Wardley and Daniel Dubois facing off in the rematch of their thrilling fight in May, while Canelo Alvarez returns against Christian Mbili on Halloween.
Here’s all the big fights coming up…
September
- Sat 5 – Katie Taylor vs Flora Pili – DAZN
- Sat 12 – Conor Benn vs Ryan Garcia – DAZN
- Sep 12 – Jai Opetaia vs Noel Mikaelian
- Sat 19 – Isaac Cruz vs Nestor Bravo – DAZN
October
- Sat 3 – Ben Whittaker vs Conor Wallace – DAZN
- Sat 17 – Daniel Dubois vs Fabio Wardley 2 – DAZN
- Sat 31 – Canelo Alvarez vs Christian Mbili – DAZN
*If you click a link in this boxout, we will earn affiliate revenue.
“I want to have an eight-pack, but maybe it is not for me.”
Ruiz Jr hit the jackpot with his Rocky-esque giant killing of Joshua at Madison Square Garden, the venue AJ’s domestic dust-up with Tyson Fury is shockingly set to land.
The 36-year-old has only fought THREE TIMES since his magical MSG night, with his last outing against Jarrell Miller taking place in August 2024.
And he admits he contemplated walking away from boxing during his hiatus.
5
5
He said of his hiatus: “It got really dark. Really dark. Everybody goes through roller coasters.
“Everybody has ups and downs in their life, and especially when it gets mental as well.
“Especially when you feel like you’re not good enough.
“You feel like you’re not going to be the same, you feel like you don’t want to do this anymore.”