Andy Ruiz, Jr. | |
|---|---|
| Born | Andrés Ponce Ruiz September 1, 1989 Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico |
| Nationality | Mexican American |
| Other names | The Destroyer |
| Statistics | |
| Weight(s) | Heavyweight |
| Height | 6 ft 1.5 in (187 cm) |
| Reach | 75 in (191 cm) |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 27 |
| Wins | 27 |
| Wins by KO | 18 |
| Losses | 0 |
Andrés "Andy" Ponce Ruiz, Jr. (born September 1, 1989) is an undefeated Mexican-American professional boxer who fights at heavyweight.[1][2][3] Ruiz holds a victory against former WBO World Champion Siarhei Liakhovich.
During his amateur career, Ruiz ran his record to 104-8 under Cuban trainer Fernando Ferrer. He went on to win two Mexican National Junior Olympics gold medals and won the World Ringside Heavyweight Championship. He represented Mexico at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games qualification tournaments but lost to Cuba's Robert Alfonso and Colombian Oscar Rivas and didn't make it.[4][5]
The Heavyweight has famed Freddie Roach in his corner and at the Wild Card Gym. He has sparred with former UFC Heavyweight Champion, Andrei Arlovski.[6] Ruiz has fought largely nondescript opposition but Ko'd two amateur stars 2006 US amateur champion Jonte Willis and 2008 Golden Gloves champion Tor Hamer.
A 19 year old Ruiz made his professional debut on March 28, 2009 at the Plaza de Toros in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico in a 4 round bout against Miguel Ramirez. Ruiz won the fight via a first round KO. Ruiz fought again after 3 months at the same venue, this time knocking Ross Brantley down 3 times in round 1 winning the bout via TKO. Ruiz took an 8 month gap before he returned to the ring in February of 2010 winning a 4 round unanimous decision against Juan Luis Lopez Alcaraz. A month later, Ruiz made his American debut at the Gaylord Hotel in Texas knocking out Luke Vaughn in round 1. Ruiz had his next 3 fights of 2010 also in the States defeating Miles Kelly via knockout, Raymond Lopez via unanimous decision and Francisco Diaz via knockout. On February 5, 2011 Ruiz knocked out Kelsey Arnold in the 3rd round and in the same month defeated Alvaro Morales via unanimous decision (59-55 twice, 60-54).[7] In April 2011, Ruiz defeated Angel Herrera via a 6 round unanimous decision. In July, Ruiz fought at the Texas Station Casino, Las Vegas, defeating Villi Bloomfield via 4th round TKO.[8] On March 23, 2013, Ruiz fought his first 8 round fight, outpointing Homero Fonseca (80-72) on all three judges scorecards.[9] In July, Ruiz fought Jonte Willis (8-3-1, 3 KOs) at the Home Depot Center, Carson, California. Willis entered with a record of 1-3-1 in his previous five, including a split decision loss three months prior to Denis Bakhtov (33-7). Ruiz floored Willis in round 5 from a short right hand before the referee Wayne Hedgpeth stopped the bout in round 8, after a combination on unanswered punches. This was on the undercard of Donaire vs. Mathebula.[10]
On July 27, 2013 Ruiz traveled to Macau with Top Rank to fight at the Cotai Arena against undefeated 30 year old American Joe Hanks (21-0, 14 KOs) in a scheduled 10 round fight. Ruiz dropped Hanks twice in round 4 with fast right hands, forcing the stoppage. Ruiz claimed the vacant WBO Inter-Continental heavyweight title with this win.[11] On November 24, Ruiz fought again the the Cotai Arena, this time on the Pacquiao-Rios undercard, succesfulyl defending his WBO Inter-Continental heavyweight title and claiming the vacant NABF heavyweight title defeating Tor Hamer (21-2, 14 KOs). The fight was stopped after the third round when Hamer indicated he did not wish to continue.[12]
On December 20, 2014 Ruiz fought former WBO World heavyweight champion, 38 year old Siarhei Liakhovich (26-6, 16 KOs) at the Celebrity Theater in Pheonix, Arizona. Ruiz was taken to the 10 round distance, the first time in his career by Liakhovich, who trained hard for this fight and tried to win. The scorecards read (98-92, 96-94 & 99-91), all in favour of Ruiz who retained his titles. This was the last time Liakhovich fought.[13]
After a 9 month gap, Ruiz returned to the ring on September 2015 at the Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino in Lemoore, California defeating Joell Godfrey via 8 round unanimous decision, all three judges scored it 80-72. Godfrey was a late replacement for Devin Vargas, who was unable to obtain a license from the California Athletic Commission.[14] A month later, Ruiz fought veteran Raphael Zumbano Love (37-11-1, 30 KOs). Ruiz won on points after 8 rounds.
On May 14, 2016 Ruiz fought 45 year old, former world title challenger Ray Austin (29-6-4, 18 KOs) at the Sportsmans Lodge in California. Austin weighed 18 pounds more than Ruiz at the weight in. This was the first time in 14 professional fights that Ruiz was outweighed by his opponent. This was Ruiz's fourth successful defence of his NABF Heavyweight Title as Austin was down in round 1, injured his right hand and failed to come out of his corner for round 5.[15] After this bout, Ruiz increased his record to 27 wins in as many fights.
Ruiz is due to fight on July 16 against an opponent yet to be announced at the Masonic Temple in Michigan. Promoted by Salita Promotions.[16] Ruiz will then fight on September 10, 2016 returning to the Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino in California against 40 year old Franklin Lawrence (21-2-2, 16 KOs).[17] Lawrence has won his last 9 fights inside the distance dating back to 2009 when he lost to veteran Oliver McCall. His only other loss came in his 5th professional fight against future WBC World champion Bermane Stiverne, which was stopped after Lawrence injured his arm in round 1.