One of the more interesting heavyweights out there, unbeaten Andy Ruiz Jr, has not yet seen his skills tested at the highest level; or anything approaching the highest level to be perfectly honest. This doesn’t mean Ruiz, 26-0(17) and hailing from California, cannot fight, he most certainly can. Possessing fast hands, power and, despite his bulky physical appearance, a good engine, the 26-year-old has impressed his share of fans and experts. We just don’t yet know whether or not Ruiz – who hasn’t fought since last October and who has boxed just twice in the past 17 months (although he did box in both September and October of last year) – is world class.
Andy Ruiz
The Plight of the Mexican Heavyweight
It’s no secret that the Hispanic audience, in particular the Mexican audience, is the backbone of boxing in the United States. One only need look at the monster PPV numbers it does on Cinco de Mayo and Mexican Independence Day in September, when not even the UFC would dare try and compete.
Floyd Mayweather Jr. was smart enough to use the holidays mentioned above to build his Mexican fan base (and expand his bank account). But he wasn’t the first non- Hispanic boxer to exploit the market’s precious resources, in fact, he wasn’t even the first Mayweather. His uncle, Roger if you can recall, used something a little less business – savvy and something a little more blunt (not to mention risky) by calling himself, “The Mexican Assassin.”
Andy Ruiz Jr: I’ll be Ready to Fight Wilder or Tyson Fury Soon
Mexican-American heavyweight contender Andy Ruiz Jr (25-0, 17ko) claims he has bounced back after a 9 month lay-off due to injury, and that his forgettable 8 round comeback win at the weekend over journeyman, Joell Godfrey, was merely a springboard on to bigger and better things now the cogs have been oiled again.
The unbeaten 26 year old is straight back out again on October 24th, when he takes on recent Anthony Joshua foe, Raphael Zumbano Love, and is also insistent that some of the weight and fitness issues that have dogged him will be a thing of the past if he keeps the momentum going.
Iron Boy Promotions to close out 2014 with Iron Boy 18 featuring Andy Ruiz and Oscar Valdez
PHOENIX — December 2, 2014 — In what is expected to be the most exciting card in Phoenix in 2014, Top Rank Boxing returns to the Valley of the Sun to join forces with Iron Boy Promotions in presenting Iron Boy 18 on Saturday, December 20th at Celebrity Theatre. The card, which is headlined by Mexicali’s Andy Ruiz (23-0, 17KO) vs. Phoenix resident Sergei Liakhovich (26-6, 16KO) in a ten-round bout, is stacked from top to bottom, with appearances from both standout prospects and local fan favorites.