The former unified heavyweight champion says he still wants a place in boxing’s biggest fights after nearly two years out of the ring

Andy Ruiz Jr. says he is still chasing the heavyweight division’s biggest fights despite spending nearly two years out of the ring. The former unified heavyweight champion called for a fight with Oleksandr Usyk while admitting frustration over watching other heavyweights cash in during his absence.

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“I would love to fight Usyk,” Ruiz said to Ring Magazine. “We even had talks, we were supposed to fight him but things happened, everybody took different routes. It’s like I’m too risky for a lot of other heavyweights who have different plans. But once I’m ready, once I’m already fighting, they have no choice but to fight me. So a lot of people haven’t seen me at 100% and right now I feel good, I feel strong.”

Ruiz shocked boxing seven years ago when he stopped Joshua to become unified heavyweight champion, but his career slowed badly afterward because of inactivity, weight gain, and long layoffs. Since the Joshua upset, Ruiz has fought only four times.

“I’m hungry. I want a piece of the f-ckin’ pie that everybody’s getting that I’ve been missing out,” Ruiz said. “But I’ve been smart because I’ve been recovering my hand.

“While I was recovering, I was seeing everybody fight, everybody losing, everybody getting their ass kicked, everybody getting a rematch and fighting again and again for no reason instead of giving other heavyweights opportunities. But I’m back. That’s what it is.”

Ruiz says he feels healthy again and wants another shot at the heavyweight division’s biggest names after spending years on the outside looking in.