Boxing: Andy Ruiz Jr. Intends To Train With Canelo Alvarez, Looks To Reclaim Unified Title From Anthony Joshua

Andy Ruiz Jr. expressed his interest to train alongside Saul Alvarez. Setting his sights towards a return to the fight scene soon, the former unified heavyweight champion said he looks forward to being trained by Canelo’s head coach Eddy Reynoso, who was hailed boxing’s trainer of the year in 2019.

Following his loss to Anthony Joshua in their rematch last December, Ruiz sent his then trainer Manny Robles packing and has since gone on a fight break. And now that he is mulling over his next bout, the Mexican-American is hopeful he could join Reynoso's powerhouse team.

“We’re talking with Canelo’s team,” Ruiz told WBA president Gilberto Mendoza in an Instagram live. “I think that would be a good one for me to join if we go that way. Right now there hasn’t been any contact, but I would like to go over there with Canelo.”

From what it appears, Ruiz’s wish might just be granted as Reynoso himself said that it will be "an honor to work with the first heavyweight champion of Mexican descent."

A report from ESPN also bared that both parties have already started their talks. The negotiations, however, had to be delayed because of the Coronavirus pandemic.

Several reports claim Ruiz is targeting Luiz Ortiz for his next bout before going right back at Joshua for a trilogy, where he aims to regain the unified title.

But Ruiz stressed he will not rush his return to a world title card, citing his plans on fighting under his belt before taking on Ortiz, and eventually, Joshua, who he regards as the toughest opponent he has ever faced.

"My toughest rival I believe would have been my last fight. I could have done a lot of things differently," said Ruiz of the December rematch where he was highly criticized for his lack of preparation.

"It was that fight because I lost a lot. Those titles would still be mine if I did everything right. Thanks to God this happened because I learned from it. Now it is time for me to focus and win those titles back," he added.

Ruiz shocked the world in July 2019 after forcing a seventh-round stoppage against the previously undefeated Joshua in New York.

Joshua exercised his immediate rematch clause five months later and dominated the “Destroyer” in all twelve rounds to earn a one-sided unanimous decision, taking back his unified title.