Former heavyweight champion Andy Ruiz Jr. returned to boxing for the first time since his 2019 defeat to Anthony Joshua, and secured a win over Chris Arreola, but the American admitted he was ‘too overconfident’.
Ruiz was the IBO, IBF, WBA and WBO champion after surprising Joshua in their first 2019 clash, but lost all the belts in their rematch in Saudi Arabia later in the year. He had admitted that his lifestyle had cost him the chance of defending the titles to the best of his ability.
Joshua is now set to challenge for the title of undisputed heavyweight champion in a two-fight event with Tyson Fury, while for Ruiz it has been a long road back.
The 31-year-old fighter has slimmed down to something like the best shape of his career in preparation for the fight with Arreola, and was ultimately a convincing winner. However he was sent to the canvas by his rival early in the fight before coming back.
Speaking after the fight, Ruiz acknowledged he faced a tough opponent.
"Chris is a veteran and a hard puncher,” said Ruiz.
“We did what we had to do tonight. We got the victory that we wanted. I was at my lowest point and now I have to climb the ladder again. I'm thankful for the victory and I'm ready to move on to the next.”
"He got me with a good clean right hand in the second round,” Ruiz continued.
“I was too overconfident and dropped my hand a bit. Hats off to him. We just kept pushing and pushing. I switched up and started focusing on counterpunching and working the body.”
Ruiz continued to dominate as he grew into the fight, and secured a unanimous decision, 117-110, 118-109 and 118-109. He has been linked with Deontay Wilder in his next fight, also on his way back from a crushing defeat of his own.