Andy Ruiz Jr. faces Jarrell Miller in a must-win heavyweight conflict in 19 days on August third on ESPN+ PPV on the BMO Stadium in Los Angeles. The 2 growing older, chunky heavyweights will meet on the undercard of the Terence Crawford vs. Israil Madrimov card.
(Credit score: Matchroom Boxing)
Ruiz’s Final Stand?
If Ruiz loses this battle, he may need to think about retiring from the game as a result of it might finish any hopes of him getting the trilogy match in opposition to Anthony Joshua that he’s been banging on about for the final 5 years.
Jarrell Miller (26-1-1, 22 KOs) might have the sting on this contest, as he seemed significantly better in his final battle in a shedding effort to Daniel Dubois on December 23d, 2023, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Miller misplaced by a tenth-round TKO however gave Dubois huge issues within the first six rounds.
The 34-year-old former IBF, WBA/WBO heavyweight champion Ruiz Jr. (35-2, 22 KOs) hasn’t seemed sharp since his upset seventh-round knockout victory over Anthony Joshua 5 years in the past on June 1st, 2019. It’s evident now that it was a fluke, catching the chinny AJ with a shot he didn’t anticipate and ending.
Since then, Ruiz has fought solely 3 times and has seemed poor in every battle. In his final battle, he defeated Luis Ortiz by a unanimous determination in twelve rounds in 2022.
“I believe Andy Ruiz vs. Jarrell Miller is an excellent battle. Firstly, all people is aware of Andy Ruiz,” stated promoter Eddie Hearn to Matchroom Boxing, speaking concerning the August third undercard heavyweight contest between former unified champion Andy Ruiz Jr. and Jarrell Miller in Los Angeles.
The matchup is good. Two heavyweights of their mid-30s are able the place they’ll’t afford to endure one other loss to remain within the operating for profitable matches. Ruiz has larger desires than Miller, on condition that he’s a former unified heavyweight champion with the potential to usher in big crowds for his fights in Southern California.
Eddie Hearn’s Ideas on the Battle
“He defeated Anthony Joshua at Madison Sq. Backyard [on June 1, 2019, by a seventh-round knockout] and has been searching for an enormous battle since. He’s been out for a bit bit [22 months since September 4, 2022] of time,” stated Hearn concerning the one-hit-wonder Ruiz.
“I really suppose, chatting with [trainer] Bozy Ennis, who has obtained Jarrell Miller in camp. You have a look at footage of him, and he’s trying in actually good condition. That’s one thing that has been an issue for him up to now; that form is conditioning,” stated Hearn.
Even the out-of-shape-looking 333-lb Jarell Miller, who fought Dubois final December, could be pure bother for Andy Ruiz Jr. Clearly, it’s vital that the 36-year-old Miller comes into this battle slimmer and in higher situation.
“I really suppose it is a actually robust battle for Andy Ruiz. It’s going to be all motion,” stated Hearn. “Jarrell Miller is all the time going to be on the entrance foot, all the time involves battle, and Andy is a really sharp counter-puncher as effectively, however he’s been out of the ring for a very long time.”
This can be a very robust battle for Andy Ruiz Jr. as a result of he hasn’t fought in a very long time and has seemed horrid in his final three fights. In his final battle, 43-year-old Luis Ortiz outboxed him, and he was solely saved by the knockdowns.
“There’s going to be big help for him in Los Angeles, however he higher have starvation in his stomach for this battle as a result of in any other case, he’ll get overrun by Jarrell Miller,” stated Hearn about Ruiz.
The help can’t save Ruiz if he can’t deal with Miller’s excessive output and aggression as a result of he’ll put it on him from spherical one till the battle ends. Ruiz’s ambition simply doesn’t appear to be there anymore, and it’s believed he’s simply hanging round for the cash.
Destiny’s Twist
“Jarrell Miller pulls out of the battle; Andy Ruiz steps in. AJ suffers his first defeat, and now they’re [Miller and Ruiz] preventing one another,” stated Hearn about how destiny modified Ruiz’s profession, turning a run-of-the-mill fighter right into a millionaire, setting him up for all times.
“It’s an enormous battle for the heavyweight division. You’re seeing these nice matchups within the heavyweight division now the place the contenders are preventing one another, and I believe it’s nice for the game,” stated Hearn.
I wouldn’t go as far as to name Miller and Ruiz prime contenders at this level of their careers, however they’re fringe-level. It’s vital for them. The winner most likely isn’t going to get a title shot. If it’s Ruiz, he might want to beat somebody within the prime 5, like Jared Anderson or Agit Kabayel, to place himself in place for a world title shot, if that’s the aim.
I’m undecided that it’s. I believe Ruiz simply needs fights in opposition to Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury to gather extra dough after which sit back for one more one to 2 years till one other good payday provide falls into his lap.
“To not simply have guys preventing for the world title, however the prime contenders within the division preventing one another,” stated Hearn.
