Former world champion Ruiz Jr. losses to Knyba in comeback fight

Former unified heavyweight world champion Andy Ruiz Jr (35-3-1) lost his comeback fight against Poland’s Damian Knyba (18-1).

Ruiz Jr., who recently signed with Matchroom Boxing, was dropped once in round seven and lost by unanimous decision the 12 round fight on Friday night in Newark, US.

Two judges scored the fight 114:113 for Knyba and one scored 117:110 also for Knyba.

For Ruiz Jr was the first fight in almost two years.

Mexican vowed to continue after recent loss. Ruiz Jr defeated on June 2019 Anthony Joshua by stoppage in round seven and claimed IBF, WBO, WBA and IBO world titles.

Six months later he lost the rematch by unanimous decision. Since that loss he fought only four times. He defeated Chris Arreola and Luiz Ortiz. Then on August 2024 he had a majority draw against Jarrell Miller.

"I don't know, I think it was just him holding," said Ruiz Jr.

"Every time I tried to come in, he'd hold me really tight, and I just couldn't let my combinations go.

"He played a good game plan, but I'd love to run it back and do things a lot different."