Andy Ruiz knows what the air is like at the top of the mountain. He also knows how damning the view can be from the bottom.
Since grabbing three of the four major titles in the heavyweight division in 2019 against Anthony Joshua, Ruiz has been unable to find any consistency. With only two fights in five years, the 34-year-old is hoping to find a little rhythm when he takes on Jarrell Miller on August 3rd.
Looking past his good friend and former sparring partner wouldn’t be sagacious. So, with no room for error, Ruiz (35-2, 22 KOs) is placing all of his focus on downing the former highly-ranked contender. If he does, fans won’t need to play the guessing game in terms of who he wants next.
“God willing we get Miller out of the way,” Ruiz told a group of reporters. “There’s so many fighters out there but I definitely want to fight Joseph Parker and get the rematch with him.”
Back in 2016, an undefeated Ruiz climbed into the ring against Parker with the vacant WBO title up for grabs. With a chance to become a world champion in his hands, Ruiz was left shellshocked when the three judges scoring their showdown gave the slightest edge to Parker.
Eventually, Parker (35-3, 23 KOs) would lose his title to Anthony Joshua, while Dillian Whyte and Joe Joyce also took their pound of flesh. But just when Parker and his career were left for dead, he turned things around.
Now, with a five-fight win streak, including back-to-back victories over Deontay Wilder and Zhilei Zhang, Parker is one of the hotter names in the division.
Although he’s moved on, Ruiz, at times, sulks despondently over what took place nearly a decade ago. The ball isn’t in his court but if Parker were willing to throw him a lifeline, Ruiz believes the end result will be different.
“I know I could have done better. God willing, he gives me the opportunity.”
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