Former Heavyweight Champion Andy Ruiz Jr Defeated by Damian Knyba in Comeback Fight
| Result | Damian Knyba defeated Andy Ruiz Jr by unanimous decision (117-110, 114-113, 114-113) |
|---|---|
| Venue | Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey |
| Key Moment | Ruiz Jr was knocked down in the seventh round but survived to the bell |
| Updated Records | Knyba: 18-1; Ruiz Jr: 35-3-1 (22 KOs) |
Former world heavyweight champion Andy Ruiz Jr suffered a defeat in his return to the ring, losing by unanimous decision to Poland’s Damian Knyba in Newark, New Jersey. The 36-year-old boxer survived a seventh-round knockdown before hearing the final bell, subsequently calling for an immediate rematch.
Defeat in Newark
The heavyweight bout took place at the Prudential Center in Newark. Judges scored the 12-round contest 117-110, 114-113, and 114-113, all in favor of Knyba.
The critical moment of the fight came in the seventh round when Knyba knocked Ruiz Jr down. Ruiz Jr scrambled back to his feet shortly before the round ended, allowing him to continue. Despite surviving the round, he struggled to mount sustained offensive pressure against the Polish fighter.
The victory brought Knyba’s professional boxing record to 18 wins and one loss. Ruiz Jr’s record dropped to 35 victories, 22 of which came by knockout, alongside three defeats and one draw.
Post-Fight Remarks and Rematch Call
Following the bout, Ruiz Jr argued that Knyba’s tactical holding limited his ability to launch effective punch combinations during the fight.
“Every time I tried to come in, he’d hold me really tight,” Ruiz Jr said after the decision was announced.
Ruiz Jr attributed his performance to ring rust following a long period of inactivity rather than a permanent loss of form. Describing the gap since his previous appearance as a “long layoff,” he stated that he chose a difficult opponent to test himself.
“I’d love to run it back and do things a lot different,” Ruiz Jr said, adding that he intends to stay active and return to the ring soon.
Background
Andy Ruiz Jr achieved international prominence seven years ago when he pulled off a major upset by defeating Britain’s Anthony Joshua to capture world heavyweight titles. However, Ruiz Jr lost those belts back to Joshua in a December 2019 rematch in Saudi Arabia. Since then, Ruiz Jr’s career has been heavily interrupted by injuries and extended layoffs, with the match against Knyba marking only his fourth fight in more than five years. Prior to facing Knyba, Ruiz Jr fought to a draw against American Jarrell Miller in August 2024. He recently signed a contract with British boxing promoter Eddie Hearn.
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