Andy Ruiz Jr. has not fought since showing up for his first defense of the unified world heavyweight titles in Saudi Arabia, overweight and unmotivated before losing the belts straight back to Anthony Joshua.
This weekend, he ends the long absence from the ring against Chris Arreola amid reports that he has shed a lot of his excess weight and is more focused than ever before under new trainer Eddy Reynoso, who also coaches global pound-for-pound superstar Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez.
As a result, Arreola's trainer Joe Goossen expects a fantastic fight on Saturday.
“I think if there’s one thing that’s really obvious and apparent here, both of these guys stepped it up,” Goossen said during a press conference on Wednesday. "They stepped up their game. They’re probably both in the best shape they’ve ever been.
"They’re gonna give the fans – see, if they were exciting fighters before reaching the pinnacle of what they’re doing right now, in terms of conditioning, imagine what it’s gonna be Saturday night. I just think it’s gonna be really a fight for the ages, one that you’re not gonna forget.
“They both wanna win. That’s number one. They both wanna win. And they both worked really hard at it. And they’re both big, strong, hard-hitting heavyweights. I mean, those are ingredients for a great fight and a great night. And that’s what I think we’re gonna see Saturday night.”
Here's everything you need to know ahead of Andy Ruiz Jr. vs. Chris Arreola.
Andy Ruiz Jr. vs. Chris Arreola fight date, start time
Date: Saturday May 1
Time: 9 p.m. ET
The main PPV card is set to commence at 9 p.m. ET. Main event ring walks are anticipated for around midnight ET, depending on how long the undercard runs.
Ruiz vs. Arreola TV channel, live stream
U.S.: FOX PPV
U.K.: TBD
Fans in the U.S. can order the fight via FOX Sports PPV on many major cable or satellite provider. It can also be streamed on the Fox Sports app via Apple TV, Roku, Fire TV, Xbox and other streaming devices.
Meanwhile, it is unknown on how you can watch the fight in the U.K, or if there will be a global live streaming option.
Ruiz vs. Arreola PPV price
The Ruiz vs. Arreola pay-per-view fight is $49.99 in the U.S.
Where is the Ruiz vs. Arreola fight?
The fight night will be staged at Dignity Health Sports Park, in Carson, Calif. It will be the second time Ruiz competes at the outdoor venue while Arreola fights at the facility for the first time.
Andy Ruiz Jr. record and bio
Nationality: Mexican, American
Height: 6-2
Reach: 74 inches
Total fights: 35
Record: 33-2 with 22 knockouts
Chris Arroela record and bio
Nationality: American
Height: 6-3
Reach: 76 inches
Total fights: 47
Record: 38-6-1, two no-contests with 33 knockouts
Andy Ruiz Jr. vs. Chris Arreola main card
- Andy Ruiz Jr. vs. Chris Arreola; Heavyweight
- Omar Figueroa Jr. vs. Abel Ramos; Welterweight
- Sebastian Fundora vs. Jorge Cota; Junior Middleweight
- Jesus Ramos vs. Javier Molina; Welterweight