In a tense, high-stakes 12-round heavyweight clash at the Prudential Center, Poland’s Damian Knyba (18-1, 11 KOs) secured a hard-fought decision over former unified heavyweight champion Andy Ruiz Jr. (35-3-1, 22 KOs).
Utilizing a disciplined stick-and-move strategy, the 6-foot-7 "Polish Hussar" controlled range and neutralized Ruiz's dangerous inside game. While not always pretty, Knyba's distance control paid massive dividends—scoring a stunning seventh-round knockdown—before surviving a wild eighth-round counter-attack to cruise to a majority decision victory.
Judges Glenn Feldman (114-113), Tony Lundy (117-110), and Kevin Morgan (114-113) all scored the contest in favor of Knyba.
Round-by-Round Action
• Round 1: Knyba immediately set the terms of the fight, using his long jab to establish distance and prevent Ruiz from closing the gap. Ruiz targeted the body when he managed to touch the inside, but spent most of the round on the outside.
• Round 2: Knyba snapped steady left jabs and popped an occasional right hand. Ruiz managed to land a single overhand right, but the lack of continuous exchanges kept the pace sluggish.
• Round 3: Ruiz struggled to solve the range dynamic. Knyba remained content to work strictly behind the jab, frustrating the Mexican-American veteran.
• Round 4: Jab, jab, tie. Ruiz attempted a multi-punch combination, but Knyba initiation smothered Ruiz the second he breached the distance. Referee warnings began to loom as Knyba repeatedly clinched after throwing.
• Round 5: The rhythm continued as Knyba jabs and clinches kept Ruiz at bay. The referee issued an official warning to Knyba for holding. Ruiz scored a sharp body shot, but Knyba quickly circled out of harm's way.
• Round 6: Another referee warning came Knyba's way for clinching. Ruiz flashed his signature "Ruiz shuffle" to try and spark offense, but Knyba backed away and resumed jab duty.
• Round 7: After sticking to his movement, Knyba caught Ruiz off-balance with a sharp left-right combination. Ruiz crashed to the canvas for the first time in the fight. Though Ruiz beat the count, he was visibly hurt as Knyba unleashed a rapid flurry before the bell saved the former champion.
• Round 8: Smelling blood, Knyba came out aggressive to finish the fight. During a wild exchange, Ruiz landed a heavy, counter right hand that stunned Knyba. Ruiz turned aggressor, hammering Knyba’s body as the Polish contender clinched to survive the round.
• Round 9: Ruiz carried momentum into the ninth, pressing forward aggressively and landing crisp head shots. Knyba went full defensive, abandoning his jab and jumping on his bicycle to reset his legs.
• Round 10: Knyba found his rhythm again, relying on backpedaling, jab-and-tie tactics to slow down Ruiz. Visible swelling began to form on Ruiz's face.
• Round 11: Ruiz started with aggression, but Knyba’s movement reset the fight to its earlier rhythm. Knyba landed a clean right hand to keep Ruiz from rushing in recklessly.
• Round 12: Needing a knockout, Ruiz pressed the action, landing a hard right to the head followed by a body blow. Knyba remained elusive, sticking his jab and moving continuously until the final bell, leaving Ruiz out of time.
Post-Fight Reactions
The loss marks another setback for Andy Ruiz Jr. in his quest to regain heavyweight title glory, sparking immediate retirement chatter. Ruiz quickly dismissed any talk of hanging up the gloves.
"I'm not done yet. I felt the layoff, but I still have plenty left in the tank and I will continue to fight."
— Andy Ruiz Jr.
For Knyba, the victory represents a major milestone, bouncing back after his loss to Agit Kabayel. In his post-fight interview, Knyba made it clear who he wants next:
"I came here to prove I belong at the top level. Now, I want my rematch with Agit Kabayel to avenge the only loss of my career."
— Damian Knyba
Comments
Share your thoughts on the above article by NewsHub @ PhilBoxing.