Ruiz hasn’t fought since battling Jarrell Miller to a majority draw in August 2024, and his resume since dethroning Joshua in June 2019 has done little to convince fans he remains an elite heavyweight. His victories over Chris Arreola and Luis Ortiz came against aging opponents, and neither performance silenced questions about whether the former unified champion can still compete at the highest level. Now 36, Ruiz believes another world title run remains within reach.
“I’m going to be fighting in Newark, New Jersey on September 4, baby,” said Ruiz. “After we get this victory, I would love to fight all the guys that have the belts Oleksandr Usyk vacated, and we’re going to become a two-time champion next year, let’s get it.”
Ruiz’s comeback is hardly a tune-up. Although Knyba is coming off the first defeat of his career, a stoppage loss to newly crowned WBC heavyweight champion Agit Kabayel in January, the 6-foot-7 Polish contender is younger, naturally bigger, and has been far more active than Ruiz. Knyba has already boxed at the Prudential Center three times and sees the former champion as an opportunity to immediately re-enter the heavyweight title picture.
“I can’t wait to be back at the Prudential Center, my second home,” said Knyba. “I’m excited to be back in the ring in front of the New Jersey and New York fans, and they will fill the seats with white and red.”
The stakes extend beyond simply getting a win. Ruiz has not recorded a signature victory since the Joshua upset, and another flat performance or worse, a defeat, would make it difficult to justify his ambition of challenging for one of the heavyweight titles vacated by Usyk. An impressive victory, however, could put the former champion back into the conversation in a division that has continued to move on without him.
Ruiz Jr. recently signed with Matchroom, with many fans believing promoter Eddie Hearn will move him quickly toward another world title shot. Ruiz has also made no secret of wanting a third fight with Anthony Joshua. After reportedly earning roughly $7 million in their first meeting and another $13 million in the rematch, the appeal of completing the trilogy is obvious.
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