Sportsamo.com – Andy Ruiz Jr. is publicly expressing his desire for a trilogy bout against former unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua, a fight he claims was a cornerstone of his discussions before signing with promoter Eddie Hearn. However, the narrative surrounding this potential rubber match is complicated by Ruiz’s own actions and the evolving landscape of the heavyweight division. After nearly seven years since their initial two encounters, the urgency and commercial appeal of a third fight appear to have waned significantly, with Joshua now being presented with more compelling and relevant challenges.
Ruiz, scheduled to make his return to the ring against Damian Knyba on September 4th at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, revealed his persistent interest in a trilogy with Joshua. "That’s something that I told Eddie Hearn," Ruiz stated on the Mr. Verzace Podcast. "Eddie Hearn, if I sign with Matchroom and with you, please give me the trilogy. That’s something that all my fans want to see. All my Mexican fans, and it can happen. It can happen."
This sentiment, however, stands in stark contrast to Ruiz’s activity in the years following his December 2019 rematch loss to Joshua. Since surrendering his titles, Ruiz has competed in a mere three contests. While he secured victories against Chris Arreola and Luis Ortiz, his most recent outing in August 2024 resulted in a majority draw against Jarrell Miller. Knyba, his opponent next month, represents his first fight in over two years. Furthermore, Knyba himself is coming off a third-round stoppage loss to Agit Kabayel in January, making a victory over him unlikely to propel Ruiz back into the elite contender conversation.
Hearn’s Blueprint for a Trilogy Left Unfulfilled by Ruiz
Eddie Hearn, a shrewd promoter, had previously outlined a clear, albeit conditional, path for a Ruiz-Joshua trilogy. In March 2020, Hearn indicated that a third fight was a possibility if Ruiz maintained a winning streak or remained a prominent figure in the division. Crucially, Hearn also raised questions about Ruiz’s motivation and commitment after he had financially benefited significantly from his two encounters with Joshua. "Who knows what Ruiz is going to do? He’s made a lot of money. Maybe he sails off into the sunset," Hearn mused at the time.
By October 2022, Hearn provided an even more specific framework, stating that while a trilogy wasn’t on Joshua’s immediate horizon, a decisive victory over Deontay Wilder would dramatically alter the calculus. This pivotal fight, however, ultimately collapsed, reportedly due to financial disagreements. Reports indicated that Wilder’s team sought a 70-30 split, while Ruiz’s father demanded an even 50-50 split. Wilder later alleged that Ruiz was demanding upwards of $25 million, a figure that was never independently substantiated. While the exact figures remain disputed, the breakdown of this potential showdown undeniably cost Ruiz a significant opportunity to re-establish himself at the forefront of the division.
The subsequent period saw Ruiz largely absent from the ring. His return against Miller was followed by another extended hiatus of two years, further eroding any momentum he might have built. This prolonged inactivity has also hampered any discernible technical growth since Joshua systematically dismantled Ruiz’s vulnerabilities in their rematch. Joshua’s strategic approach, characterized by effective use of his jab, lateral movement, and a refusal to engage in close-range exchanges, exposed Ruiz’s limitations. Ruiz’s inability to effectively cut off the ring and force Joshua into the kind of slugfest he thrives in proved to be his undoing.
His performances since the rematch have done little to suggest a change in this dynamic. Chris Arreola managed to score a knockdown against Ruiz in their bout and inflict further damage. While Ruiz secured a victory over Luis Ortiz through three knockdowns, Ortiz still managed to control significant portions of the fight from range. The majority draw against Jarrell Miller, while perhaps a testament to Ruiz’s resilience, also highlighted a physically taxing performance where he visibly slowed.
While the hand injury sustained against Miller was indeed serious, injuries have unfortunately become a recurring theme in Ruiz’s career, rather than an isolated excuse. Sporadic training camps have seemingly forced him into a cycle of rebuilding his conditioning with each return, rather than consistently sharpening the technical deficiencies exposed by Joshua. Consequently, any potential third fight would largely rely on nostalgia from Ruiz’s stunning upset victory in June 2019, as his recent performances offer little evidence to suggest a different outcome than their second encounter.
The Double-Edged Sword of Financial Success and Ambition
In his recent interview, Ruiz candidly admitted that the allure of money, luxury cars, fame, women, and partying significantly impacted his focus and dedication leading up to the Joshua rematch. It is difficult to divorce the substantial financial rewards from his subsequent decline in activity. This newfound financial security afforded him the luxury of stepping away from the relentless demands of the sport. Prior to his initial triumph over Joshua, Ruiz was a hungry underdog seizing the opportunity of a lifetime on short notice. After collecting two significant paydays, that same sense of urgency appears to have dissipated. While injuries and personal struggles undoubtedly played a role, they do not fully account for the consistent pattern of inactivity spanning nearly seven years. Hearn’s 2020 query about Ruiz’s commitment after achieving financial success now appears prescient, with his subsequent activity offering a stark answer.
A Crowded and Evolving Heavyweight Landscape
The heavyweight division has continued its inexorable march forward during Ruiz’s periods of absence. Emerging talents like Moses Itauma have captured the attention of the boxing world, while Daniel Dubois has solidified his position through impressive wins, including a notable victory over Joshua himself, and has continued to face significant opposition. From a fan perspective, the allure of seeing Joshua test the burgeoning talent of Itauma or seek retribution against Dubois far outweighs a revisit to a rivalry last active in 2019.
While older boxing aficionados fondly recall Ruiz’s electrifying performance at Madison Square Garden, a younger generation of fans may have never witnessed him fight live. To this demographic, he may simply be perceived as another fighter, now 36 years old, competing against a rebuilding opponent. A victory over Knyba should serve as the genesis of Ruiz’s own rebuilding process, not as a springboard for another lucrative payday against Joshua. Ruiz has expressed a desire to fight again in December. Consistently competing and facing legitimate top-tier contenders would undoubtedly strengthen his claim far more effectively than repeatedly invoking the memory of his initial upset victory.
There was ample opportunity to cultivate public demand for a trilogy bout. Remaining active and defeating formidable opponents like Deontay Wilder or a succession of other top contenders would have made Ruiz an unavoidable proposition for both Joshua and Hearn. Instead, he appears to have gambled on the enduring commercial power of a single historic upset. The series is tied at one win apiece, but an unresolved score loses its significance when one participant effectively disappears from the competitive arena. Andy Ruiz Jr. did not lose his chance at a Joshua trilogy through misfortune; he allowed it to dissipate through his own choices and a lack of sustained commitment.
