Boxing Rumors: Andy Ruiz Jr. To Fight In August; Shortlist Of Next Opponent Revealed

Andy Ruiz Jr. is reportedly planning to return inside the ring in August and looking at a shortlist of two names for his next adversary. The former unified heavyweight champion even teased fight fans anew on Monday as he wrote: “Big announcement (is) coming soon.”

Mike Coppinger of the Athletic followed up Ruiz Jr.’s hint by unveiling more details about the hefty Mexican’s comeback fight. He mentioned Adam Kownacki and Chris Arreola as the fighters being targeted for the bout.

“Andy Ruiz Jr.’s ring return is being planned for August. Two names being discussed for his opponent. Adam Kownacki, who fights Robert Helenius on Saturday on FOX, if he wins as expected. The other option under discussion for the former heavyweight champ: Chris Arreola,” Coppinger wrote.

Ruiz Jr., 30, is coming off a loss by virtue of a unanimous decision against Anthony Joshua, 118-110, 119-109, and 118-110, in their rematch on Dec. 7. As his shape and conditioning were thrown to the critics’ feast, Ruiz Jr. owned up to his flaws at post-fight, admitting he partied too hard during his preparation.

Nothing is confirmed as of posting as Ruiz Jr. has been giving hints about his return for several weeks now. He was also quoted saying that his upcoming fight will just be a tune-up for a more lucrative bout, potentially against Luis Ortiz.

But some spectators are not sold on the strategy that Ruiz Jr. is trying to instigate. For them, going against a fighter who has tools below his repertoire is not what fans want to see.

“Fans would be pleased if Ruiz forgot about a tune-up and went after 41-year-old Ortiz or perhaps Dillian Whyte. Ruiz far enough advanced into his 11-year pro career to where he doesn’t need warm-up fights. He needs to lose weight, but not a lot,” Dan Ambrose of Boxing News 24 wrote as he compared him to the newly hailed WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury. “Compared to Tyson Fury, Ruiz only needs to drop a small amount to get down to the mid-250s. That’s only 30 lbs and it shouldn’t be a problem for Ruiz as long as he stays away from rich foods and alcohol. Fury was close to 400 lbs when he began his comeback in 2018.”