THE man just loves his ink.
Like his heavyweight rival Anthony Joshua, Mexican brawler Andy Ruiz Jr boasts several tattoos dotted around his torso.
Andy Ruiz Jr has plenty of tattoos like heavyweight rival Anthony JoshuaCredit: Reuters
The 30-year-old will showcase them, and his new chiselled look when he takes to the ring in Saudi Arabia on Saturday night.
But what do all his tattoos mean?
Join SunSport in dissecting the body art – piece by piece – to understand the mindset of the man nicknamed ‘The Destroyer’.
‘VICTORIOUS’
Scribbled across his shoulder blades is the word ‘Victorious’.
Ruiz Jr got his back tat right before his fight against Alexander Dimitrenko earlier this year at a no-frills parlour in California.
He had it done to signify his quest in becoming the first Mexican heavyweight champ – a prophecy that came true when he defeated Joshua at Madison Square Garden later in the year.
Impressive as it is, it won’t look good if it hits the canvas this weekend.
Ruiz Jr got his most recent tattoo last year on his backCredit: Reuters
Ruiz Jr got his Victorious tattoo before his fight with Alexander DimitrenkoCredit: Getty Images – Getty
The Victorious tattoo stands for Ruiz Jr believing he would won day realise his dream of becoming heavyweight championCredit: Getty – Contributor
SAY A PRAYER
Slap, bang in the middle of his chest sits his most impressive tattoo.
And the artwork across his pecs has several meanings.
First, the clasped hands front and centre signify Ruiz Jr’s deeply religious beliefs.
A devout Christian, he was raised in a church-going family and has thanked god for bringing him his success.
The roses are a tribute to his loved ones, his family, wife and children – of which he has five.
While, the dove represents a desire for freedom – one that Ruiz Jr feels being of Mexican heritage.
He was born in the USA, but his family emigrated to the States before he was born.
Ruiz Jr has an impressive chest tattoo across his pecsCredit: Alamy Live News
The clasped hands represent prayer with Ruiz Jr being a devout Christian and church-goerCredit: Refer to Caption
MEXICO-MADE
Heritage is important factor for Ruiz Jr when it comes to his tattoo choices.
On the inside of his right bicep, he has the words, ‘Hecho En Mexico’ etched onto his arm.
That literally translates as ‘Made In Mexico’, which technically isn’t true.
Ruiz Jr was actually born in the impoverished Imperial Valley area of California, known for its high crime rate and gang warfare.
But his grandfather owned a boxing gym in Mexicali, and Mexico is where Ruiz Jr cut his teeth in the sport before he became heavyweight champion.
Therefore, his roots are certainly Mexican – and you wouldn’t argue with him either.
On the inside of his right bicep Ruiz Jr shows he was ‘Made In Mexico’Credit: Getty Images – Getty
AND HIS FANS ARE AT IT TOO… BADLY
Tattoos can go spectacularly wrong, and here’s an example.
One Ruiz Jr fan took his admiration for the fighter to the next level by getting this bizarre ink on their forearm.
Incredibly, it made the champ look more like a sumo wrestler than a boxer, and fans were quick to take the mickey on social media.
World Boxing News reported some of the harsh comments on the super-fan’s dodgy ink.
One said: “That artist is trash lol.”
Another said: “dam boi get your money back and than cut that s*** off. cringe as f*** Sorry to say. But that’s a TERRIBLE job.”
One added: “What is this abomination lmao.”
Ruiz Jr has plenty of fans who want to pay homage to him with their own tattoosCredit: Reuters
A fan got Ruiz’s stunning win tattooed on his body but it went horribly wrong
Andy Ruiz Jr hopes to god that he can knock Anthony Joshua out as he looks forward to the big fight
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
