Former unified heavyweight champion Andy Ruiz Jr. (35-2-1, 22 KOs) fought to a controversial 12-round majority decision against Jarrell Miller (26-1-2, 22 KOs) on Saturday night at the BMO Stadium in Los Angeles.
The scores were 116-112 for Miller, 114-114 and 114-114. Ruiz was fortunate to get a draw out of the fight because he easily could have lost.
Fans on social media were very critical of the scoring, feeling that Miller had been robbed of a victory against the popular former champion Ruiz, who is from Southern California.
A Shell of His Former Self
Ruiz appeared sluggish, unable to match Miller’s fast pace and pressure. After three rounds, his punches lost all their snap, and Miller repeatedly nailed him with body shots. ‘The Destroyer’ Ruiz was constantly on the retreat from the forty, and his body language suggested that he was tired.
Ruiz was coming off a two-year layoff, and the time out of the ring took out of him. Miller took advantage of Ruiz’s limited gas tank by putting constant pressure on him, throwing shots just meant to connect, and machine-gunning him with flurries in the last ten seconds of every round.
Miller weighed in at 305 pounds on Friday, but he was the more aggressive fighter and in control of the pace of the fight. He was the one pushing the fight against an exhausted Ruiz, who was fighting on empty after three rounds. Ruiz was trying to hold a lot, and Miller wasn’t letting him by pushing him away.
Judges Save Ruiz’s Career
The questionable draw by the judges saved Ruiz’s career, keeping the door open for him to fight in His Excellency Turki Alalshikh’s Riyadh Season events in the future. It would be a shame if Ruiz got a lucrative fight after this dubious draw rather than Miller.
As for Miller. This hurts his career because if he’d been given the victory, he would have been in a position for a big-money fight against one of the popular heavyweights.
Last Updated on 08/04/2024
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