Andy Ruiz Jr ends two-year layoff to face 6ft 7in man mountain in first fight with Eddie Hearn

Andy Ruiz Jr makes his long-awaited return to the ring on September 4.

Just over two years to the day of his last outing, the former unified heavyweight champion locks horns with towering 6ft 7in Polish pugilist Damian Knyba at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, live on DAZN.

Mark Robinson / Matchroom Boxing

It marks his first fight under the Matchroom Boxing banner after officially signing with Eddie Hearn’s promotion earlier this month.

Ruiz Jr: I’ll become two-time champion in 2026

Ruiz Jr (35-2-1) famously knocked out Anthony Joshua in June 2019 to snatch the unified WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight titles from his British rival in one of the biggest upsets of the decade.

He lost the rematch six months later and has only fought three times over the last six and a half years.

Ruiz Jr recorded back-to-back points wins over Chris Arreola and Luis Ortiz in 2021 and 2022, before holding Jarrell Miller to a controversial draw last time out in August 2024.

The 36-year-old suffered a serious hand injury during the bout, which required surgery.

After a lengthy stint on the sidelines resting and recuperating, Ruiz Jr reunited with long-time coach Manny Robles to prepare for his comeback.

“After we get this victory, I would love to fight all the guys that have the belts,” Ruiz Jr said.

“We’re going to become a two-time champion next year.”

Daniel Dubois is the IBF heavyweight champion, while Agit Kabayel and Murat Gassiev are newly crowned champions, holding the WBC and WBA titles, respectively, following Oleksandr Usyk‘s decision to vacate the belts.

Knyba, meanwhile (17-1), is coming fresh off the first defeat of his career against Kabayel in January.

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He had been booked to face Kacper Meyna in a Republic of Poland heavyweight title fight on October 3.

However, that contest is no longer going ahead, with Piotr Lacz expected to take Knyba’s place.

Outside of his third-round stoppage loss to Kabayel, Knyba has built his record against battle-hardened gatekeepers such as Michael Polite-Coffie, Joey Dawejko and Richard Lartey.

Victory over Ruiz Jr would completely change the course of ‘The Polish Hussar’s’ career, and open the door to bigger and better fights.

Who else is on Ruiz vs Knyba card?

In the Newark chief support act on September 4, 24-year-old Vito Mielnicki Jr will face former middleweight contender Austin Williams (20-2).

“Every fight is another chapter in my story, and I’m ready to write my biggest one yet,” Mielnicki Jr said.

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“This is my time. Every sacrifice I’ve made has prepared me.

“When that bell rings, fans are going to see a fighter who is hungry, confident, and ready to prove he belongs among the elite. I’m coming to make a statement.”

Mielnicki Jr (23-1) dominated Omar Huerta in Atlantic City last time out in April, securing a unanimous decision after 10 rounds.

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