ANDY RUIZ JR survived a knock down in the second round of his boxing comeback to defeat Chris Arreola in Los Angeles.
It was Ruiz Jr’s first fight since his loss to Anthony Joshua in December 2019, and he outboxed his fellow Mexican-American to get himself back in the world title picture.
And while the fight was going on, a mass brawl broke out in the stands during the fourth round at the Dignity Health Sports Park in California.
Follow ALL of the latest updates from LA below…
SUMMER LOVIN
Ruiz could face British star Dillian Whyte in his next fight.
Promoter Eddie Hearn told SunSport last month: “I had a chat with him [Whyte] the other day.
“I feel like he’s been massively under pressure in all these big fights for a long, long time.
“I feel like he needs to go and enjoy himself and by doing that, go to the US and raise his profile in a good fight in New York in the summer or something like that, that’s what we’re looking at.
“I think realistically the bigger fight with Dillian is going to come at the end of the year. Whether that is Ruiz or Wilder.”
RUIZ NET WORTH
Ruiz is believed to have received a guaranteed £1MILLION from last night’s fight.
And that figure does not include the Pay-Per-View receipts, according to reports.
In January 2021, the former world champ had an estimated net worth of £7.1m.
Credit: Getty Images – Getty ‘DID WHAT WE HAD TO’
Andy Ruiz Jr was pleased to pick up the victory over Chris Arreola after coming in overweight to his defeat to Anthony Joshua in 2019.
He said: “Chris is a veteran and a hard puncher.
“We did what we had to do tonight. We got the victory that we wanted.
“I was at my lowest point and now I have to climb the ladder again.
“I’m thankful for the victory and I’m ready to move on to the next.”
ARREOLA RECORD UPDATE
Following last night’s defeat to Ruiz, Arreola has now won 38 of his 48 professional fights.
The 40-year-old has lost seven times and drawn once.
He did initially win his other two fights but was stripped of the victories after failing two separate drugs tests.
Previous opponents include Deontay Wilder and Vitali Klitschko.
Credit: GETTY IMAGES RUIZ DOWN
Ex-world champ Ruiz went down in the second round but recovered to defeat Arreola.
Here’s the knock down…
ANOTHER CLIP
Here’s another video of the crowd brawl during the Ruiz/Arreola bout.
Keep an eye out for the shirtless man, who appears out of nowhere with his top off.
Incredible scenes in California…
OSCAR WORTHY
Elsewhere in boxing, Oscar De La Hoya is planning a comeback.
His opponent will be ‘worldwide news’ and ‘one of the biggest fights’ this year, Triller say.
The boxing legend is set to return on July 3, which comes 12 years after Manny Pacquiao sent him into retirement.
Social media app Triller, who have had Jake Paul and Mike Tyson headline on their platform, welcome De La Hoya back to the ring.
And the brains behind the operation, film producer Ryan Kavanaugh, has teased the magnitude of the fight, believed to be against an MMA superstar.
Kavanaugh told SunSport: “We are almost done, but if we get this person it will be worldwide news.
“I’d argue it would be one of the biggest fights in the world this year.”
THE REAL FIGHT
Ruiz v Arreola wasn’t the main event in California after all.
Right in the middle of the heavyweight bout, a HUGE brawl broke out in the audience.
Despite the shameful scenes, ex-world champ Ruiz didn’t lose his focus and went on to secure the win.
Here’s the video…
HOUSE OF CARDS
There was uproar at some of the scorecards on both sides of the Atlantic following wins for Andy Ruiz Jr and Joseph Parker.
Ruiz Jr was the victor over Chris Arreola via unanimous decision but fans were shocked by the 118-109 margin of victory on two judges’ scorecards.
Meanwhile New Zealand’s Parker beat Derek Chisora via split decision and even HIS coach Andy Lee wasn’t sure he’d won the bout.
The razor thin margin of victory was reflected in two of the scorecards, with one judge scoring it 115-113 to Chisora and the other 115-113 to Parker.
But a bizarre 116-111 scorecard ensured the former world champ emerged victorious.
WAR
Andy Ruiz Jr and Chris Arreola capped off a fantastic night of boxing.
ORTIZ NEXT
The Athletic’s Mike Coppinger caught up with Luis Ortiz, who dropped at hint at a possible fight with Andy Ruiz Jr!
GRANDSTAND FINISH
Ruiz Jr and Arreola slugged it out until the finish!
FANTASTIC FOUR
Andy Ruiz Jr may have put himself back in the title picture…..
Would be nice to see him face Deontay Wilder, and then the winner faces the winner of AJ vs Fury!
RESULTS
Here’s a recap of all of the results:
- Eduardo Ramirez def. Isaac Avelar (3rd round)
- Erislandy Lara def. Cornflake LaManna (1st round)
- Jesus Ramos def. Javier Molina (decision)
- Sebastian Fundora def. Jorge Cota (4th round)
- Abel Ramos def. Omar Figueroa (6th round)
- Andy Ruiz Jr def. Chris Arreola (decision)
RUIZ JR VS ARREOLA – ANDY RUIZ JR WINS
The judges score the fight: 117-110, 118,109, 118,109 in favour of Andy Ruiz Jr!
The former world champ wins in his comeback fight 18 months on from his defeat at the hands of Anthony Joshua!
Arreola will be extremely disappointed with the scorecards, he put in a better performance than what the judges scored.
118-109…… REALLY?
What’s next for Ruiz?
RUIZ JR VS ARREOLA – ROUND TWELVE
IT’S GOING ‘TILL THE VERY END!
Ruiz Jr and Arreola are throwing everything at it, trading blows in the middle of the ring.
Arreola steps forward but gets tagged with the left hook.
A straight jab backs Arreola up against the ropes, setting up sweet right hand.
We’re into the final minute and Ruiz lands a left hook followed by a chopping right hand.
And it’s all over! Excellent fight between these two! It’s going to the judges scorecards!
Arreola scored a knockdown, but Ruiz Jr fought back strong from the 3rd/4th round onwards.
Not sure which way this is going to go!
RUIZ JR VS ARREOLA – ROUND ELEVEN
Just two rounds to go!
Ruiz Jr catches Arreola with an overhand right before connecting with an uppercut!
Ruiz is going on the attack.
Arreola finds his second wind and lands some straight jabs, but he runs out of time.
It’s heading into the 12th and final round!
RUIZ JR VS ARREOLA – ROUND TEN
“Like that, like that,” says Ruiz Jr’s coach before sending his fighter back out for round ten.
There’s some swelling under Ruiz’s left eye, but it looks like he’ll be able to continue!
Ruiz Jr lands a double left hook on the jaw of Arreola inside the opening 40 seconds of round ten.
RUIZ JR VS ARREOLA – ROUND NINE
Ruiz Jr lands the first punch of round nine landing a straight jab.
And the 31-year-old follows it up with a strong left hook, knocking Arreola back slightly!
Ruiz is starting to show his youth, and Arreola is starting to tire – both have the power to end the fight in one punch.
But who will come out on top?
RUIZ JR VS ARREOLA – ROUND EIGHT
Ruiz Jr takes a strong right hook by Arreola well.
Arreola appears to have hurt his shoulder in the process of throwing a punch , Ruiz has taken notice.
The 40-year-old will be hoping his adrenaline carries him through the pain!
RUIZ JR VS ARREOLA – ROUND SEVEN
We’re into the second half of the fight and what an entertaining match-up!
Ruiz Jr’s comeback almost came to an end in round two, but he’s since regained composure and fought his way back into the fight.
Arreola is sticking with the jab, whereas Ruiz Jr is favouring the left hand.
Ruiz’s hand speed has Arreola slightly flustered as he lands a slick combination!
The 40-year-old responds with an uppercut.
RUIZ JR VS ARREOLA – ROUND SIX
There’s a fight going on inside the ring, but there was a scuffle in the stands just before the main event started.
Fighting’s in the air….. I guess!
Anyways, back to the boxing – round six! Here we go!
Ruiz Jr lands a fantastic jab, and Arreola stumbles back to regain his composure.
Arreola comes back with his own big right hand followed by a Ruiz left hook! WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW!
This is heavyweight boxing!
Here’s The Athletic’s Mike Coppinger’s perspective of the scenes in the stands!
RUIZ JR VS ARREOLA – ROUND FIVE
“I need you to bring that right hand back,” says Ruiz Jr’s coach before the start of round five!
Arreola lands a nice combination at the start of the round but it doesn’t faze Ruiz Jr.
Andy tries to respond but he leaves himself open and Arreola catches him again.
BIG LEFT HOOK RIGHT ON THE BELL BY RUIZ BUT WE’RE HEADING INTO ROUND SIX!
RUIZ JR VS ARREOLA – ROUND FOUR
Andy Ruiz slips back into the brawling mentality right from the bell and lands a good shot.
And the crowd respond with a raw!
The former heavyweight champ seems to have regained his composure, as he lands a good uppercut.
Great round for Ruiz, the fight has slowed down and he’s starting to pick his shots.
RUIZ JR VS ARREOLA – ROUND THREE
ARREOLA ROCKS RUIZ JR AGAIN AT THE START OF ROUND THREE!
How has Ruiz not hit the mat? He’s getting absolutely battered by Arreola…… unbelievable!
Ruiz Jr gets into a brawling mentality and the pair trade blows in the middle of the ring.
Here we go again! Ruiz steps in and lands a left hook followed by a big right hand!
But the bell saves Arreola! The 40-year-old shakes his head as he heads back to the corner as if to say: ” Nooooooooooo, I’m not going down that easy!”
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW!
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
