Andy Ruiz Jr. believes he can rule the world once again as he returns to action against Damian Kynba on Firday night at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, the third headline show of TNT Sports and DAZN’s “The Fight,” the new monthly live boxing series, and will be broadcast co-exclusively in the U.S. on TNT, truTV and DAZN and worldwide on DAZN.
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Ruiz Jr. (35-2-1 22 KOs) is back in action after a two-year absence from the ring and having penned a promotional deal with Eddie Hearn and Matchroom last week, Mexico’s first ever Heavyweight king is ready to reignite his quest to become a two-time World champion.
The 36-year-old stunned the sporting world in June 2019 when he dethroned Anthony Joshua on a historic night in New York, and last tasted action in August 2024 in a back-and-forth majority draw with Jarrell Miller in Los Angeles, the third bout in a row in his home city following wins over Chris Arreola and Luis Ortiz.
Standing in the way of Ruiz Jr’s plans to get back to the summit of the Heavyweight division is Knyba (17-1 11 KOs), with the Polish giant looking end ‘The Destroyer’s’ grand plans at the first hurdle. The 6ft 7in is looking to bounce back to winning ways at the first attempt after taking on newly anointed WBC champion Agit Kabayel for the interim title in Germany in January. Knyba fights at the Prudential Center for the fourth time in his career, and the 30-year-old can move into line for a World title crack with victory.
Ruiz, Kynba and stars on the undercard spoke at the final press conference at Prudential Center on Wednesday, here’s what they had to say:
Eddie Hearn:
This is a massive weekend for Matchroom Boxing. Here in Newark, New Jersey at the wonderful Prudential Center, thank you to Dylan, Bill and the incredible team here and we're looking forward to our first ever show here on Friday night, live and exclusive on TNT and DAZN. This will be one of the biggest audiences we would have had since we started our journey here in America, and then of course, on Saturday night live and exclusive on DAZN around the world and on RTE in Ireland, Katie Taylor will make her final ring walk in front of 83,000 people at Croke Park.
On Friday night here in New Jersey, it’s the return of The Destroyer, Andy Ruiz, the former unified World Heavyweight champion, the first Mexican World Heavyweight champion, returning to the ring against Poland's Damian Knyba.
It's a wonderful fight and what an undercard as well to talk about before we get started with the main event. I think the fight of the night could well be two fantastic Middleweights, Vito Mielnicki and Austin ‘Ammo’ Williams, it's a fantastic matchup.
Andy Ruiz Jr.
I'm really excited for this fight, especially with having my team, my family, my son with me. This is the reason why I do this for for my kids and all my loved ones. I'm ready. I'm excited, and there is a lot of pressure under this fight because a lot of people are expecting the worst or the best. I just got to go out there, pray for the best and to get that victory on Friday night.
It's legacy and me proving to myself that I am capable of doing everything right and to be champion again. I had all the belts and I lost them all by not being disciplined. Now that I'm disciplined, I'm dedicated and I'm hungry, I I want those belts back. I want to prove to myself and to all my family and my fans that I am capable of becoming champion again.
I got to climb up the ladders once again. I have a tough opponent with Damian. I know he wants to win this fight just like me. That's going to make it an exciting fight. There's a lot of nerves, a lot of emotional feelings right now, I just I just want to look good and become victorious on September 4.
That's why they call me the giant slayer because I'm always a small guy fighting these big, big guys. But for some reason, it works for me and I'm going to have to do whatever it takes to to get that victory.
It's just staying disciplined, staying dedicated, listening to my trainers and my team. I'm just happy that I reunited with Manny Robles because before the other fights and the other opponents that I had, I wasn't doing the right things that I was supposed to. I just appreciate Manny always pushing me and calling me if I'm not at the gym, he's over there calling me, "Where you at, man? Remember the mission. Remember the dream that you want to be. You want to become a two-time Heavyweight champion. Remember what it took for you to to beat Anthony Joshua. You got to do the same thing. You have the abilities. You have the speed. You have the power. Don't don't waste your talent." That kind of woke me up and that's why we're here now.
Damian Knyba
I'm expecting the most hungry and best version of Andy Ruiz. I've been training my whole life for fights like this. I'm excited and more than ready for the opportunity. I've been dreaming and fighting for opportunities like this since I started boxing and I know there's going to be a ton of Polish people here supporting me and one of my biggest dreams and aspirations is to bring Polish boxing back to Prudential Center on the biggest stage.
Vito Mielnicki Jr
All that a-side, b-side stuff really at the end of the day doesn't matter, on Friday night we got to get in there and fight, and I'm going to come out there with the W.
It's my time. I've been moving my way up the ranks, the highs and lows of a career and now it's time. I have a lot of respect for Ammo, I respect the tests that he's taken, the fights he's taken and what he's done in the sport, but it's my time to take over 160lbs division.
Austin ‘Ammo’ Williams
Every fight for me has been a must-win. I never came into a fight feeling like I was okay not getting a victory, and every time I didn't get it, it hurt me to the core, the deepest hurt you could imagine. This one gave me the blessings being able to go with Derrick James, being able to get new preparation and be able to pull my style back, starting in Houston and getting the six years with Kevin Cunningham, a different slick style, but now getting back to my roots in a Texas style. I'm ready to show a more developed and complete style.
I definitely want to point out he is not like me at all. First thing he said was a lie about the a-side, b-side don't matter. I'm the person that said it doesn't matter. I'm the person that took the fight no matter what the promotion was because I know what I'm going to do in the ring. I hear him and I'm definitely ready. I'm using his energy. I wasn't a kid put in this sport. I chose this myself and I knew I was going to get my respect from fighting people when I just had to fight them. I wasn't number, this ain't a numbers game for me. This is my life. I'm putting on the line every time. They are going to call me the Brick City champ after what I do to you.
One loss will change your whole trajectory of what you can do in the sport. I never went into a fight feeling like I was privileged or a guy that needed this type of emotion. I always came in hungry. I always came in with that chip on my shoulder, and this is just another night to show I'm that guy; I'm a real champion. I've been waiting for my night. I've been waiting for my moment. If it got to happen in somebody backyard, if it got to happen with his family, fans, and all his friends around, let's do it.
Alan Chaves
I am aware I will have a very difficult fight this Friday, but I am you know I am going I'm going to fight to seek that victory. I am well aware of the of the amazing fighters like Abdullah Mason, they're on top of me right now, but I'm taking things one one thing at a time. I am focusing on my next fight, and I have prepared 100 per cent and I'm ready for a good result this Friday.
Eridson Garcia
I want to say thank you to Matchroom for this opportunity, this is another great challenge in my career and I'm ready for a victory this Friday night. I had an amazing unforgettable victory in Saudi Arabia. I have also won at the Prudential Center and I don't see why it will be any different again this Friday.
Zaquin Moses
I'm excited, I've been watching bro (Shakur Stevenson) come here for a long time performing, and finally it's my time to do it. I want to show the young kids that anything is possible as long as you chase your dream and make sure you give 100 per cent and you keep going and never stop.
I watch I watch a little bit of him, he's durable, he's tough, but that’s what I have trained for. I know what I'm capable of, I know the work that I put in and I just can't wait to show it Friday night.
Angel Contreras
I am so honored and proud to be part of this amazing card. I feel very excited, like in the previous fights that I had, and I'm coming with 100 per cent. I trained very hard and I'm here to get a a great result this Friday.
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