Can Andy Ruiz Jr. shock the sport once more?

LOS ANGELES – The day before Andy Ruiz Jr. departed for New York in 2019 to meet the heavily favored Anthony Joshua for the world’s heavyweight championship fight at Madison Square Garden, he was effectively left alone in a Norwalk, Calif., gym, chatting with one reporter.

Days later, the rotund product of farmland in Imperial, Calif., would shock the world, pummeling Joshua and scoring arguably the biggest post-Buster Douglas upset in the sport’s history.

Five years – and three fights – later, Ruiz has returned to another corner of humility, hopeful for another chance at the glory that proved so fleeting.

Ironically, Ruiz (35-2, 22 KOs) is set to fight the man he replaced in that Joshua heavyweight title fight in June 2019, New York’s Jarrell “Big Baby” Miller (26-1-1, 22 KOs).

Like Miller, Ruiz has struggled with his fitness over the years, joking with regret that burritos and nachos fueled his prior success. At 34, the weight doesn’t come off as easily, and Ruiz credits his commitment and devotion to religion for lifting him off the canvas of his extended malaise.

He senses the opportunity of what this bout is: A compelling heavyweight scrap fought in front of the heavyweight-loving major power broker in the sport, Saudi Arabia’s Turki Alalshikh.

“I’m blessed to be here and I’m really happy to be on this card, and now it depends on how (Miller) comes in. I’m ready for whatever he brings,” Ruiz told BoxingScene.

After returning from the Joshua upset overweight, failing to work inside and land the flurry of power that defined their first bout in the rematch that was staged in Saudi Arabia, Ruiz said he’s worked to overcome the shame and aims to reunite with the energy he displayed in his prime.

“I know exactly what’s important – in this sport and in life,” he said. “Sometimes, we have to go through our ups and downs – into the deepest hole you can find – and then come back and learn. The main thing is how you recover from it.

“I’m happy. I’ve gone back to church. I’m doing the things I’m supposed to do on this mission I know I must do. God willing, we’re going to get this victory.”

He said there are parallels to that day in Norwalk, feeling void of pressure, neglected by the public, but inspired by what’s possible.

“I have a lot of people depending on me. I know I still have a lot of fans,” Ruiz said. “I feel I still have a lot of things I want to do – not so much for them.

“But for me. That’s exactly what I’ve got to do, with Jarrell Miller in front of me. I’ve just got to win, and then the other things are going to come.”

Ruiz said he believes his style is “perfect” for Miller, given that Miller likes to charge ahead and Ruiz is an astute – and killer – counterpuncher.

“I like to throw bombs and combinations… tune in for the return of Andy,” he said.

Victory could land him a bout against someone like former heavyweight champion Joseph Parker, who’s won three consecutive fights in Saudi Arabia and previously defeated Ruiz for the World Boxing Association heavyweight belt in 2016 in Parker’s home country, New Zealand.

“I’ve fully accepted that I need to climb back up the ladder and do what I’ve got to do,” Ruiz said. “I’ve got to win.”