What issues have hampered ex-champion Ruiz on post-Joshua road?

But an unforgiving concoction of conscious decisions and setbacks changed the former unified heavyweight world champion’s trajectory to where he’s still trying to get back to the top of the glamour division.

The 36-year-old Ruiz (35-2-1, 22 KOs) takes another step in that direction Friday night when he clashes with 6-foot-7 colossus Damian Knyba (17-1, 11 KOs) at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, and live on DAZN and TNT Sports.

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Here, DAZN News takes a look at some of the bumps in the road Ruiz has faced since his jaw-dropping victory.

Too much partying, lack of laser focus

After shocking Anthony Joshua, Andy Ruiz Jr. rode the wave of being the new unified heavyweight world champion … a little too much. The celebrating caught up to him in the form of tipping the scales at a whopping 283.7 pounds for their rematch in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia in December 2019.

Sluggish, Ruiz ate a buffet of jabs at the hands of AJ before losing the unified crown right back to the British boxing star. The immediate aftermath of his loss had Ruiz conceding that his celebrations dragged out and that he didn’t apply himself the way he should have entering their sequel.

“I should have taken this fight more seriously,” Ruiz said during the post-fight press conference. “Three months of partying and celebrating affected me. Being bigger and heavier, I thought was going to benefit me. It didn’t. Being overweight, I thought I was going to be stronger. I should have trained harder and listened to my team.”

A carousel change in trainers

Ruiz fought the pair of Anthony Joshua fights under the guidance of longtime trainer Manny Robles. However, for the three fights that followed, Ruiz had a different trainer for each bout.

For his May 2021 fight against fellow veteran Chris Arreola, Ruiz joined Canelo Alvarez’ team, fighting under the Mexican boxing superstar’s head trainer, Eddy Reynoso. The bout started out shaky as Ruiz suffered a second-round knockdown, but the former champ recovered to take a lopsided unanimous decision.

His next bout, in September 2022, had Ruiz overwhelming Luis Ortiz to a unanimous decision under the training of Alfredo Osuna.

By the time he fought Jarrell ‘Big Baby’ Miller to a majority draw in August 2024, he was essentially training himself. All the dizzying changes stripped away at Ruiz’ corner stability and direction.

The injuries and inactivity

Ruiz had a right knee surgery in August 2021, as reported by ESPN, followed by a torn rotator cuff surgery of his right shoulder in November 2023 and then he injured his right hand in the fight against Miller in August 2024.

Compounded altogether, the injuries helped pave the way for Ruiz’ grand inactivity as he only had four fights since December 2019 and that includes his rematch loss to Joshua.

What has changed now?

In July, Andy Ruiz Jr. signed a multi-fight promotional deal with Matchroom Boxing, marking his return to action live on DAZN, beginning with Friday night’s bout against Damian Knyba.

Also, longtime trainer Manny Robles, who worked Ruiz’ corner the night he shocked the boxing world against Anthony Joshua, is back guiding him.

Since inking the deal, Ruiz looks lighter in weight and seems rejuventated, even releasing a diss track taking aim at everyone from Anthony Joshua to Tyson Fury and more in the heavyweight division.

But now, we’re about to find out how much 'The Destroyer' has left to give to the sport.

Ring Magazine

Watch Garcia vs. Benn in the UK only on DAZN

Britain's Conor Benn looks to become a world champion for the first time against US superstar Ryan Garcia on Saturday, September 12. Watch the fight exclusively in the UK & Ireland on DAZN PPV or included in our Ultimate Tier subscription.

For more information, pricing, and to buy, click here .