‘I made mistakes,’ Andy Ruiz Jr. admits as restoration project begins

SANTA MONICA, California – Former unified heavyweight champion Andy Ruiz Jr. has hit the reset button on life and is ready to revive his career when he takes on Jarrell Miller on Aug. 3 at the BMO Stadium in Los Angeles.

“The Destroyer” Ruiz (35-2, 22 KOs) last fought in September 2022, dropping Luis Ortiz twice to score a unanimous decision. Ruiz, who turns 35 years old in September, has been on the sidelines ever since during the prime years of his career, having fought just twice since his sequel with Anthony Joshua concluded in 2019. 

Since Ruiz beat Ortiz, he’s gone through a public separation from his partner that has spilled into the tabloids, underwent rotator cuff surgery last November, and had lucrative opportunities with the likes of Deontay Wilder slip through his fingers as the rest of the division heated up in Saudi Arabia.  

The promotional free agent Ruiz – who is expecting his fifth child – has since linked up with boxing power broker Sean Gibbons and is adamant that he’s ready to rebound and reinsert himself back into the heavyweight picture for another title run. 

“I’m really happy to be back,” Ruiz said during a workout in Los Angeles on Wednesday. “I know it’s been a long minute, but things happen for a reason, and we’re out here now. I’m super excited to continue my mission and continue my path. 

“I have to continue my legacy. I made history against Joshua. I made mistakes. I learned through the ups and downs and rollercoaster of life. I feel like it’s a redemption right now too. I am super motivated and hyped. The most important thing is that I am hungry. I am hungry for success and to become a two-time heavyweight champion.”

The enigmatic Miller (26-1-1, 22 KOs) is looking to get his career back on track as well following his first career defeat, and a run-in with the law. “Big Baby” lost to Daniel Dubois via stoppage in the final seconds of a 10-round bout in December, and days later in January, was arrested and charged with carjacking and burglary with assault or battery. 

Ruiz and Miller will forever be linked outside of their upcoming contest as well. In 2019, Miller was supposed to face Joshua but tested positive for a banned substance, opening the door for Ruiz to step in as a replacement opponent to stun the Brit for the heavyweight titles.  

“I always salute him – there is nothing bad to say about him,” Ruiz said regarding Miller’s mishap that led to his life-changing opportunity. “We’re good friends outside of the ring but inside the ring, it’s a whole different thing. We’re going to put on that switch because we both want to become world champions.

“He’s big, strong and comes in with heavy punches, but I think my explosiveness, combinations and speed will for sure make me win this fight.”

Gibbons told BoxingScene that a win against Miller would likely mean Ruiz would potentially be featured on the undercard of the Oleksandr Usyk vs. Tyson Fury rematch on Dec. 21 in Saudi Arabia against Joseph Parker, Zhilei Zhang or Agit Kabayel. 

“I want to train hard and stay busy. I don’t want to fight and then you guys don’t see me for two years and say ‘what happened to Andy?'” I want to be here for the long haul. 

“It’s an open division right now. There are so many heavyweights popping up left and right. But the main guy is Jarell Miller right now. I have to pass this test and become victorious.”

Ruiz vs. Miller will be featured on the undercard of Riyadh Season’s debut event in the United States. The junior middleweight fight between Terence Crawford and Israil Madrimov will headline the event. DAZN, ESPN, and PPV.com will distribute the card.