Andy Ruiz Jr. became an overnight global icon when he shocked the world and defeated the heavyweight champion of the world -Anthony Joshua last year on June 1st in the Mega of Boxing, Madison Square Garden -New York City. Students the world over thru various social media accounts learned his name and story within 48 hours of his amazing accomplishment. (After all how cool of a story is what he accomplished) In speaking with him in the post fight press conference which ran deep into the night on a beautiful warm day, he was humble, he became the first Mexican heavyweight champion and in many ways he was the people’s champion. He also taught people around world not to judge a book by its cover.

So what happened?

In became clear in the months leading up to the December rematch with Joshua that Ruiz was very happy living the life of a hero, eating with his eyes instead of his stomach and of course indulging in ice (gold & diamonds).

An out of shape Ruiz traveled to the The desert of Saudi Arabia in the Middle East and rematched Anthony Joshua for a kings ransom in December 2019. He lost a 12 round decision because he couldn’t let his hands go, and boxing analysts begin to wonder if Andy Ruiz Junior was simply a one hit wonder like Buster Douglas.

During the match, is was clear that his toughness and hand speed are second to none in the 200 pound plus division. His potential was as clear as day in a losing cause and he showed us the you don’t have to be two meters tall to be the best heavyweight in this relatively new century (This century, the heavyweight titles have been dominated by mammoth men like the Klitschko brothers, Tyson Fury, Lewis, Wilder & Joshua).

He also showed us the you can’t hide being out of shape and that no amount of money in the world can bring that motivation he had prior to the first Joshua fight. Roy Jones Junior once said that it’s hard to stay hungry & motivated to train when your sleeping in silk sheets.

Now Ruiz continues to get fatter and as promoters scramble to use his name & get him back in the ring, he has set an unprecedented  value for his worth. Promoters see a cash cow in Ruiz, but Ruiz thinks he’s in the drivers seat and his asking price is simply to high.

This is a tragic story of a great Mexican boxer who had the world in his grasp and simply let it get away. He lost all his motivation, his will to train and he still thinks in an odd kind of way that he has the belts. At this point he should take a big pay day against a top heavy. His plan seems to be to fight a journeyman and not train. Once he loses to a no name, a guy ranked 80th in the world, his worth will be similar to the Nigerian nightmare, Samuel Peter. Taking nothing away from Peter who had a great / respectable 18 year career.

2020 will be telling for the Guy who has all the potential someone can dream off.

Photo courtesy of Ed Mulholland & Matchroom Boxing