Andy Ruiz Jr.

Andy Ruiz Jr. – Life, Career, and Famous Quotes

Discover the remarkable journey of Andy Ruiz Jr.—from humble beginnings to becoming the first Mexican-American heavyweight champion. Explore his biography, achievements, challenges, mindset, and best quotes.

Introduction

Andy Ruiz Jr. is a name that defied expectations. Born September 11, 1989, in Imperial, California, he rose from underdog status to shock the boxing world in 2019 by defeating Anthony Joshua and becoming the first Mexican-American to hold the unified heavyweight titles. His story resonates far beyond the ring: it’s about identity, perseverance, and redemption in one of the sport’s toughest divisions.

Early Life and Family

Andrés Ponce Ruiz Jr. was born to immigrant parents from Mexico. His father worked in construction and later flipped houses; Ruiz helped in that work before fully pursuing boxing. His grandfather ran a boxing gym in Mexicali that had been used by former champions, giving Ruiz early exposure to the sport.

As a child, he was energetic, sometimes destructive—his nickname “Destroyer” partly came from that childhood penchant to break things. Ruiz has spoken in interviews about how his father steered him toward boxing to channel his hyperactivity.

He grew up identifying with both Mexico and the United States: he is proud of his Mexican heritage while being born and raised in California.

Youth and Education

Ruiz attended Imperial High School, graduating in 2007.
Before devoting himself to boxing, Ruiz played baseball. But the pull of the gym proved stronger, especially given his family connections to boxing in Mexicali.

In his amateur career, Ruiz compiled a record reported as 105 wins and 5 losses under Cuban trainer Fernando Ferrer. He won two Mexican National Junior Olympic golds and a Ringside World Championship. He attempted to qualify for the 2008 Olympics, fighting in qualification tournaments, though he did not make the final team.

Career and Achievements

Early Professional Years

Ruiz turned pro on March 28, 2009, in Tijuana, knocking out Miguel Ramírez in round one. In his first years, he frequently ended fights early with a strong punch output, steadily building his record.

By mid-2013, he began gaining regional titles: he knocked out Joe Hanks to claim the vacant WBO Inter-Continental heavyweight belt and later defeated Tor Hamer to win the WBC-NABF belt.

He consistently rose through the ranks, winning bouts against veterans like Siarhei Liakhovich, Ray Austin, and Josh Gormley.

Rise to the Top: The Joshua Upset

In early 2019, Ruiz scored a TKO in the 5th round over Alexander Dimitrenko, establishing his status as a dangerous contender.

Then, in what would become one of boxing’s biggest upsets, Ruiz stepped in on short notice to face Anthony Joshua on June 1, 2019, at Madison Square Garden. Despite being knocked down in Round 3, Ruiz came back and defeated Joshua by TKO in the 7th round, capturing the WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, and IBO heavyweight titles. He became the first heavyweight champion of Mexican descent.

The Rematch & Aftermath

Six months later, Joshua and Ruiz met again. This time Joshua boxed more cautiously, and Ruiz was widely criticized for poor conditioning. Joshua won a unanimous decision, reclaiming his belts. Ruiz later admitted his lack of preparation—partly due to celebrations and lifestyle choices.

After that, Ruiz changed trainers, first working with Eddy Reynoso in 2020 and later Alfredo Osuna.

He returned to fight Chris Arreola in 2021 and won via unanimous decision despite being knocked down earlier. In 2022, he faced Luis Ortiz in a WBC eliminator, knocking Ortiz down three times en route to another unanimous decision win.

In April 2024, Ruiz fought Jarrell Miller. The bout ended in a majority draw, with controversy and Ruiz sustaining a hand injury during the fight.

Career Record & Highlights

As of the latest records, Andy Ruiz Jr. has fought 38 professional bouts: 35 wins, 2 losses, and 1 draw, with 22 wins by KO.

The crowning moment was certainly the Joshua upset, but equally instructive is how Ruiz’s story shows both the fragility and the resilience needed at the top.

Historical Milestones & Context

• Ruiz’s win over Joshua is often regarded as one of boxing’s great shocks, given his underdog status, body shape, and late notice to enter the fight.

• He holds the distinction of being the first heavyweight champion of Mexican descent.

• His career arc also reflects a modern cautionary tale in boxing: after reaching the summit, the challenges of discipline, mental health, image, and lifestyle can be as damaging as an opponent in the ring.

• In recent years, Ruiz has publicly committed to a transformation—losing weight, sharpening discipline, and aiming for a comeback.

Legacy and Influence

Andy Ruiz’s legacy is multi-layered:

• For Mexican and Mexican-American fans, his victory represented national pride and breaking stereotypes in a sport often dominated by certain body ideals.

• For athletes everywhere, he is a reminder that underdogs can win with heart, but staying on top requires consistency, humility, and adaptation.

• His struggles outside the ring—publicly admitting periods of depression, excess, and self-doubt—make him more human and relatable than many untouchable champions.

• If he executes a meaningful comeback, that could cement him not just as a flashy upset, but as a resilient champion of multiple eras.

Personality and Talents

Ruiz is known for his calm, affable personality in interviews. He often laughs, references faith, and speaks candidly about his life.

Physically, he combines power with surprising hand speed for a heavier fighter. Observers often note that people underestimate him until he is in the ring.

His mindset embraces underdog status. One of his quotes:

“I’ve been an underdog my whole life … once I get in the ring it’s a whole different ball game.”

Furthermore, he admits that if he reached the top, staying there would be harder than winning it.

He is bilingual (English and Spanish), identifies deeply with his Mexican roots, and often speaks to both Mexican and American audiences.

Famous Quotes of Andy Ruiz Jr.

Here are some of his notable sayings that reflect his mindset, struggles, and ambitions:

• “A lot of people have underestimated me and I have been a problem for them inside the ring.”

• “I’ve been an underdog my whole life with the shape that I have … once I get in the ring it’s a whole different ball game.”

• “A lot of fighters underestimate me. And what do you know? They end up being on the canvas.”

• “I wanna be a legend, I wanna be in the world books of records.”

• “As long as you pray and believe in your dreams, anything is possible.”

These quotes reflect humility, faith, and a fierce refusal to let others define his limits.

Lessons from Andy Ruiz Jr.

1. Underdog potential is real. Even without the ideal body or perfect track record, zeal, power, and opportunism can lead to greatness.

2. Reaching the top is one battle; staying there is another. Discipline, mental health, lifestyle, and humility matter as much as talent.

3. Failure doesn’t have to define you. Ruiz’s rematch loss and personal struggles became part of his narrative—one he’s trying to turn around.

4. Identity is powerful. Embracing both his Mexican and American roots allowed him to resonate with multiple communities.

5. Honesty is strength. His candidness about depression, setbacks, and mistakes gives hope to others facing their own battles.

Conclusion

Andy Ruiz Jr.’s journey isn’t just about boxing. It's a story about defying stereotypes, rising unexpectedly, falling, and seeking redemption. His upset win gave him immortality; his ongoing effort to rebuild may define his legacy.

If he returns strong and consistent, Andy Ruiz Jr. won’t be remembered just as a flash upset—he’ll be a full-fledged champion who overcame more than just opponents.

Want me to dig deeper—say, a timeline of his fights, training methods, or psychological coaching?