Andy Ruiz Jr will make his return to the ring on August 3 against Jarrell Miller after nearly two years of inactivity. Before this fight was announced, there were doubts about whether Ruiz would step back into the ring. While Turki Alalshikh arranged some exciting matchups in the heavyweight division, Ruiz was notably absent.
Aside from the anticipated bout between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk, fans were treated to other thrilling matchups like Frank Sanchez vs Agit Kabayel, Joseph Parker vs Deontay Wilder, and Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou, ushering in a new era in boxing where top heavyweights regularly face off in main events or stacked undercards.
With unbeaten records on the line, interim world titles up for grabs, and lucrative purses at stake, there has never been a better time to remain active in the sport. Turki is shaping the future of boxing, bringing together rival promoters and overseeing the entertainment unfold like an emperor in a Roman Colosseum.
However, Ruiz’s absence during this boxing evolution raises questions. It has been over five years since he shocked the world by defeating Anthony Joshua to become the first Mexican heritage heavyweight champion. Since losing his unified world heavyweight title in a rematch against Joshua in Saudi Arabia, Ruiz has been relatively quiet.
His upcoming match against Miller marks his return to the Middle East since the devastating loss. It seems like the specter of that defeat kept Ruiz away, fearing a repeat. Nonetheless, Ruiz aims to become a two-time world champion by confronting his fears.
In a recent interview with Chris Mannix, Ruiz confessed to struggling with discipline and enjoying the party life post-Joshua victory. This is a common challenge for elite boxers who achieve their ultimate goal, leading to complacency and distractions that can hinder motivation.
Ruiz’s physical appearance has also been a topic of discussion throughout his career. Despite dropping weight in 2021, his punch resistance seemed to suffer, and he faced criticism for his performance. Against Ortiz in 2022, he opted to maintain a higher weight and secured a narrow victory despite dropping his opponent.
Miller presents a unique challenge as he is expected to outweigh Ruiz significantly. Despite a previous defeat, Miller’s work rate is commendable for his size, adding to the intrigue of the upcoming bout.
Daniel Dubois breaks the will of Jarrell Miller during their heavyweight fight at Kingdom Arena on December 23, 2023 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (Richard Pelham/Getty Images)
Ruiz’s comeback presents an opportunity to revitalize his career. At 34 years old, he has already made history as the first Mexican heavyweight champion but has yet to fully realize his potential. A convincing win over Miller could be the key to reestablishing himself in the heavyweight scene.
While there are enticing matchups on the horizon, Ruiz must demonstrate his commitment to climbing back to the top. Heavyweights historically maintain their prime longer than lighter divisions, but there comes a time when ring rust and age catch up with even the best fighters.
Despite being favored to win, Ruiz faces a critical moment in his career against Miller. The outcome of this fight will determine if Ruiz is ready to reclaim his status among the elite heavyweights or if his best days are behind him.