Former Champ Andy Ruiz ‘Ready’ Following Long Training Camp

Former heavyweight boxing champion Andy Ruiz Jr. takes on Luis Ortiz Labor Day weekend.

The bout will be a title-eliminator for the WBC belt live on Premier Boxing Champions pay-per-view. It takes place from Los Angeles.

For Ruiz, this is another opportunity to work towards taking back his title.

“I’m feeling really good,” he said. “The hard work has already paid off and now it’s just time to have fun on September 4. We’re going to let it all out in the ring. Me and Ortiz are coming to be champions, so you know it’s going to be a hell of a fight.

“I’m just ready. I had a long training camp. I know what Ortiz is bringing to the ring and I know what I’m capable of. I just have to stay focused and execute.”

In 2019, Ruiz stunned the boxing world when he knocked out Anthony Joshua to win the WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO titles. He dropped the belt later that year in a rematch with Joshua.

Last year, he rebounded with a decision over Chris Arreola to improve to 34-2 and secure his standing in the division.

“When I try to go for the knockout, it usually doesn’t go my way. I’m training for 12 rounds and if the knockout comes, it comes,” he said. “You best believe I’m in condition to go hard for all 12 rounds.

“I’ve been training hard because we want to climb back up the ladder of the heavyweight division. That’s why we picked a tough guy like Luis Ortiz. He has a hard style, but I’m positive and confident that I’m going to win this fight on September 4.”