Andy Ruiz Jr is on the verge of developing abs if a clip taken from a behind-the-scenes Fox Sports photoshoot is to be believed.
The American has fought just once since he lost his belts to Anthony Joshua in December 2019, and faces a tough test after over a year of inactivity against Luis Ortiz on Sunday night. He recently claimed to be around the same weight that he was when he faced Joshua for the first time although recent footage shows him looking much more trim.
Ruiz made waves when he appeared in mainstream consciousness for the first time against Joshua looking pudgy and out-of-shape before knocking out the then-unbeaten world heavyweight champion. He showed off fast hands and an impressive chin on his way to becoming the first heavyweight champion of Mexican descent and earning millions of fans worldwide.
But he was overcome with the trappings of fame and piled on the pounds heading into his rematch with Joshua in Saudi Arabia, which he lost with a sluggish showing in his first defence. The coronavirus pandemic shut down boxing shortly after and kept him out of the ring for over a year before he struggled to get past Chris Arreola.
At the time, Ruiz was training with Eddy Reynoso; Canelo Alvarez's renowned coach, after splitting with long-time trainer Manny Robles. But he has since moved on to work with Joe Goosen after a public falling out with Reynoso and Team Canelo.
He now faces the dangerous power-puncher Ortiz, who returned from his own lengthy absence in January to knock out Charles Martin. If Ruiz fancies himself a world level heavyweight, he should expect to get past the Cuban, but the bout will be no easy task and he will have to be in great shape to get past a difficult test.
Are you excited to see Andy Ruiz return looking in great shape? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below!
“I feel good and extremely motivated," Ruiz said at the pre-fight press conference. "The first time I saw Ortiz fight live, my dad told me I was going to fight him someday. Now we’re here. At the end of the day, we both have the same dream. He wants to make history, but I’m going to have my hand raised up high and I’ll be the one who comes out victorious.
“I’m trying to make a big statement. Not just for the fans, but for myself. Losing all those titles that I won broke my heart. This is another chance for me to become champion and I don’t want to lose it. I want to take full advantage of it and do my best. His plan is to try to knock me out but we’ve trained really hard.
"If it goes the distance, we trained hard. I’m ready for anything he brings to the ring. Everyone wants a knockout, but if you look for the knockout, you make mistakes and pay the price. That’s what we’ll be waiting for."
