Andy Ruiz Jr in advanced talks over comeback fight with 6ft 7in giant after two-year hiatus

Andy Ruiz Jr is reportedly deep in negotiations for a return to the ring this Autumn.

The former unified heavyweight champion hasn’t set foot in the ring since his controversial draw with Jarrell Miller in August 2024.

Mark Robinson / Matchroom Boxing

Most ringside observers felt Miller had done enough to win, but in the end, the judges were split.

Ruiz Jr (35-2-1) has since linked back up with long-time trainer Manny Robles in an attempt to reignite his career.

Robles famously masterminded Ruiz Jr’s upset win over Anthony Joshua in 2019, and is whipping the 36-year-old back up into career-best shape.

After 12 months of hard graft in the gym, Ruiz Jr now appears ready to launch a comeback.

According to Ring Magazine, the Mexican-American is in advanced negotiations to face towering 6ft 7in Pole Damian Knyba on September 4 in Newark, New Jersey.

Knyba (17-1) hails from Bydgoszcz, Poland, but is now based in New Jersey, where he trains with respected coach Shaun George.

‘The Polish Hussar’ fell to the first defeat of his career last time out in January when he was stopped in the third round by Agit Kabayel.

He has since signed to fight fellow countryman Kacper Meyna on October 3 for the Republic of Poland heavyweight title.

However, it now seems that his attention has turned to Ruiz Jr.

The pair are set to feature on a card headlined by highly-ranked middleweights Ammo Williams and Vito Mielnicki.

Getty

It comes amid rumours that Ruiz Jr has signed with Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing.

Ruiz Jr neither confirmed nor denied the links when he was quizzed on them last month.

“It’s none of anyone’s business,” Ruiz Jr told FightHype.

“I’ll be explaining the good news pretty soon.

“But nothing has happened yet. I want to fight everybody.

“People want to see me fight and we have been training like crazy.

“I feel good, I’m looking good, the main thing is for me to stay in shape and wait for them to give me some good news.”

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