Andy Ruiz Jr Returns After a Year Out — and He's Talking History Again

Andy Ruiz Jr is back. After more than a year on the shelf, the former unified heavyweight champion returns September 4 in Newark, New Jersey, against Poland's Damian Knyba — and he's already reaching for the same word that defined his career: history. This is also Ruiz's promotional debut with Matchroom.

The context matters. Ruiz hasn't boxed since a controversial draw with Jarrell 'Big Baby' Miller in August 2024, and before that his post-Joshua résumé has been steady rather than spectacular: points wins over Chris Arreola and former titleholder Luis Ortiz. He's reunited with head coach Manny Robles for the comeback, and told Matchroom he's feeling the benefit of having the full team back together rather than freelancing his own preparation.

The Man Who Shocked Joshua

Ruiz will forever be the guy who walked into Madison Square Garden in 2019 as a late replacement and stopped Anthony Joshua in the seventh round, becoming the first heavyweight champion of Mexican heritage. Then the wheels came off. He's been candid that sudden wealth and lax training wrecked his rematch preparation, and Joshua boxed his way to a wide unanimous decision to reclaim the belts. Joshua, for what it's worth, is now 29-4 (26 KO) and coming off a sixth-round knockout of Jake Paul.

Why Knyba Isn't a Gimme

Knyba arrives with a warning sign attached. He was stopped in three rounds by Agit Kabayel this past January — and Kabayel has since gone on to become WBC champion at 27-0 (19 KO). That's a respectable loss on paper, and a live opponent for a returning fighter who's been inactive. Ruiz insists he expects to get through Knyba and then push toward something bigger.

The 'something bigger' is specific. If Ruiz can land another world title shot and win it before he retires, he'd become the first-ever two-time heavyweight champion of Mexican heritage — a genuine slice of boxing history and not just promotional noise. He said as much to Matchroom, promising the team that made history once intends to do it again.

First things first, though. Ring rust is real, and a year away at heavyweight is a long time. Beat Knyba convincingly on Thursday and the history talk earns its airtime. Struggle, and the comeback story gets a lot quieter.