Andy Ruiz Jr signs with Matchroom Boxing ahead of heavyweight comeback

Former unified heavyweight champion Andy Ruiz Jr has signed a multi-fight deal with Matchroom Boxing as he prepares to return after two years away from the ring.

Ruiz reunites with Matchroom Boxing

After two years away from the ring, former unified heavyweight champion Andy Ruiz Jr is ready to start the next chapter of his boxing career, putting pen to paper on a multi-fight promotional deal with Eddie Hearn's Matchroom Boxing.

The 36-year-old Californian will be reuniting with the promotional team that oversaw the defining night of his career.

'The Destroyer' shocked the world that evening, beating Anthony Joshua at New York's Madison Square Garden in the summer of 2019 to rip the WBA, WBO and IBF heavyweight titles from the once-unbeaten Briton.

Ruiz would then lose the titles in the rematch with Joshua, and in the years that followed would lace up his gloves just three more times.

It took Ruiz 16 months to return to the ring, where he picked up a unanimous decision victory over a much older Chris Arreola.

After that, Cuban heavyweight Luis Ortiz's name would be added to Ruiz's list of wins after another unanimous decision victory.

His most recent outing ended in a majority draw against Jarrell Miller in August 2024, a result that preceded his two-year absence from the sport.

Chasing another world title

Preparing for his eventual return to the ring, Ruiz has reunited with Manny Robles, the same trainer who guided him on the night he made history against Joshua.

The pair have one singular goal in mind: to rediscover the form that saw Ruiz reach the upper realm of the heavyweight division once again, with 'The Destroyer' making no secret of his ambition to become a two-time world champion.

"I'm so happy and thankful for signing with Matchroom and taking another step forward to continue my mission and to become a two-time champion of the world for Mexico," Ruiz said.

"I believe everything happens for a reason and I'm so grateful God is giving me a second opportunity to do everything right."

Eddie Hearn backs Ruiz's return

In his time away from the limelight, the heavyweight landscape has continued to evolve, with new contenders emerging and the division taking on a different shape from the one Ruiz left behind.

Despite those changes, Eddie Hearn believes that a fully focused Ruiz still has all the required tools to trouble the very best in the division.

"The heavyweight landscape is always evolving, and a fully fit and firing Andy Ruiz Jr. is a nightmare for anyone in the division," Hearn said.

Hearn added: "Andy shocked the world in New York with his stunning victory over AJ, and if 'The Destroyer' from that night returns to the ring, there is no doubt he can become a two-time world champion."

With Matchroom standing alongside him once again, Ruiz has the opportunity to re-enter a heavyweight division that has changed significantly since he stood at the top of the mountain.

The question is whether 'The Destroyer' will, in fact, be the same nightmare Hearn believes he can be, or whether the collective amount of time outside the ring will have done more harm than good in an evolved heavyweight scene.

Henry Elwell

Henry Elwell is a sports writer based in Lincoln, UK, specialising in combat sports coverage across both boxing and mixed martial arts. Alongside his writing, Henry has gained experience presenting boxing events, attending press conferences and hosting media events, building a broad range of skills during his time at the University of Lincoln. He also played a key role in the University of Lincoln's coverage of Lincoln City F.C. during the club's title-winning 2025/26 campaign. His work included writing match reports and feature articles, as well as interviewing the team's manager and numerous first-team players.