Andy Ruiz

Bio

Andy Ruiz Jr, "The Destroyer," is a former unified heavyweight world champion and the first fighter of Mexican heritage to hold a version of the heavyweight crown. He announced himself to the world in June 2019 when, as a late-notice replacement, he stopped Anthony Joshua in the seventh round at Madison Square Garden in one of the biggest upsets in the sport's history.

Blessed with genuinely elite hand speed and slick, underrated defence for a big man, Ruiz on his day is one of the most awkward and dangerous heavyweights on the planet. His challenge has always been consistency and conditioning rather than talent.

After a majority draw with Jarrell Miller in August 2024 and a lengthy spell out of the ring, Ruiz has signed a multi-fight promotional deal with Eddie Hearn's Matchroom Boxing, with a return live on DAZN on the way. If he arrives in shape, the division has every reason to be wary.