Andy Ruiz Jr. has stepped again from the limelight after struggling a hand harm throughout his controversial draw with Jarrell Miller.
Not like his opponent, Ruiz hasn’t been seen on social media because the combat that was co-featured on the Terence Crawford vs Israil Madrimov card. His Excellency Turki Alalshikh put the occasion collectively to get the Riyadh Season identify into the US area, with one eye on making one other large heavyweight combat for the winner.
Nonetheless, it wasn’t to be as Ruiz and Miller drew following a twelve-round battle. Two scores learn 114-114, however Robert Hoyle’s 116-112 effort in favor of Miller was seen by many as nearer to the reality.
As Miller takes the plaudits and declares himself an ethical victor, Ruiz has gone off the radar amid makes an attempt to repair his grotesque hand ailment. Ruiz has been fleeting out and in of the game since shedding his world heavyweight title to Anthony Joshua in December 2019, and the ex-unified champion’s future has once more been questioned.
After his loss, Ruiz instantly referenced the hand however acknowledged his need to have a second combat with Miller to see a winner lastly. These intentions could not be capable of be honored for months, if ever, as a result of obvious severity of Ruiz’s hand, by his personal judgment.
“I damage my hand, and you’ll see the bone proper right here. It bothered me quite a bit from that fifth spherical the place I saved hitting him within the head,” mentioned Ruiz. “He’s a powerful mom******. He retains coming ahead and ahead. Let’s run it once more. I feel it was shut. It was loopy, man. I haven’t fought in two years, however let’s do a rematch.”
He added, “It’s fairly exhausting whenever you’ve acquired a 300lb man coming in direction of me. Throwing and throwing. I feel I did fairly good after not preventing in two years.”
Ruiz has given followers zero updates since then.
Given recuperation and Ruiz’s standard timeouts, that two-year absence may flip into one combat in three years [not for the first time]. By then, the Mexican-American might be pushing 36. ‘The Destroyer’ could have wasted his greatest years outdoors the ropes.
One other world title shot may show unimaginable until Ruiz can once more get critical about boxing.
In distinction, Miller is keen to maneuver to Saudi Arabia to steer Turki Alalshikh to bankroll his retirement run. The ‘Huge Child’ has just a few years left on the prime. The New Yorker needs Alalshikh to make him a everlasting a part of Riyadh Season.
“I’m undoubtedly heartbroken with the end result [of the Ruiz fight], however I do know in my life I’ve by no means had something simple. Warriors don’t stop. The whole lot will come to gentle. They’ll rob you, they’ll steal from you, they’ll deceive you, however Allah sees all,” mentioned Miller.
He added, “Brother Turki mentioned what wanted to be mentioned. He has seen it for himself who received that combat [with Ruiz]. I’m a free agent. Free ultimately. I’ve no dealings with Dimitry Salita or his promotional firm in any way. I’m packing my baggage. It’s time to maneuver to Saudi,” he concluded.
Learn all articles and unique interviews by Phil Jay. Be taught extra concerning the writer, skilled boxing author, and World Boxing Information Editor since 2010. Comply with on Twitter @PhilJWBN.
