Andy Ruiz Jr defies retirement calls after being dropped in shock defeat to Damian Knyba

Andy Ruiz Jr’s return to the ring ended in disaster as he fell to a lopsided defeat at the hands of Damian Knyba in Newark on Friday night.

The former unified heavyweight champion was stepping back between the ropes for the first time in a little over two years and there were signs of ring rust as he was made to miss and pay by a disciplined Knyba.

Matchroom Boxing

Ruiz Jr suffered a heavy knockdown in round seven, and was well beaten by his towering 6ft 7in foe, who puts his 86in reach to good use as he cruised to a unanimous decision win behind the jab.

You would be hard pressed to give Ruiz Jr more than three rounds, yet two of the judges submitted alarmingly narrow 114-113 scorecards in Knyba’s favour, while the other had it 117-110 for the big Pole.

In the immediate aftermath, the DAZN panel called for Ruiz Jr to retire, but the 36-year-old insisted he will fight on.

Andy Ruiz Jr defies retirement calls

“He was holding really tight and I couldn’t let me hands ago,” said Ruiz Jr, who falls to 35-3-1 as a pro.

“I want to run it back. He was a great opponent, I didn’t want an easy fight and that’s why I chose Damian. 

“I’m not done, just because of this loss. I have still got it in me and I want to fight again.” 

For Knyba (18-1), the fight presented a second crack at a big name heavyweight after falling short against newly crowned WBC champion Agit Kabayel last time out in January.

It marks the biggest victory of his career, and one that will surely open doors to bigger and better paydays.

“I used my physical attributes, my reach, my movement,” said Bydgoszcz’s Knyba.

“Andy is a great fighter and it was an honour to share the ring with him. I wish him nothing but the best.”

Damian Knyba calls for Agit Kabayel rematch

Knyba hopes the win will catapult him into a rematch with Kabayel or a world title shot against another champion.

“There were a lot of things that happened in my last camp against Kabayel,” said Knyba.

“The referee made a bad stoppage against Kabayel, and I really want a rematch.

“I would love to fight Kabayel, but if the fans don’t think I deserve it, I would like to get in with [WBA champion] Murat Gassiev, who I believe I can beat.” 

Story of the fight

Knyba told talkSPORT.com before the fight that he would get his hand raised by keeping his concentration for 12 rounds, and that’s exactly what he did.

The Polish puncher racked up an early lead behind a flicking jab, whipping in the occasional right hand for good measure.

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Ruiz Jr was caught reaching multiple times as he was made to fall short by a fleet-footed Knyba.

In round seven, the Mexican-American was badly hurt by two big hooks from Knyba, who poured on the pressure as Ruiz Jr stumbled against the ropes.

The referee looked as though he was moments away from waving off the contest, but when Ruiz Jr hit the deck, he gave him the benefit of the doubt.

Ruiz Jr was saved by the bell, and he was made to weather an early storm in the eighth, with Knyba opening up and chasing the stoppage.

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