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Andy Ruiz Jr. with a cut above his left eye during his fight against Anthony Joshua in their IBF, WBA, WBO & IBO World Heavyweight Championship contest at the Diriyah Arena, Diriyah, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Nick Potts/PA Images via Getty Images)
via Getty
Andy Ruiz Jr. with a cut above his left eye during his fight against Anthony Joshua in their IBF, WBA, WBO & IBO World Heavyweight Championship contest at the Diriyah Arena, Diriyah, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Nick Potts/PA Images via Getty Images)
Former unified heavyweight champion of the world, Andy Ruiz Jr., has been in the news for his incredible weight-loss. However, recent training footage has shed light on the reality of the former champion. So has ‘Destroyer’ Ruiz Jr. really lost weight?
When Ruiz Jr. lost to Anthony Joshua in December 2019 in the rematch, he got heavy criticism for his overweight frame and his lack of discipline. Moreover, his former coaches also revealed the indiscipline that the heavyweight showed.
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NEW YORK, NY – JUNE 01: Andy Ruiz Jr of California during the second round of the World Heavyweight Championship fight on June 1, 2019 at Madison Square Garden in New York, NY. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
However, he seemed to have turned a corner when footage revealed his impressive weight loss. Andy Ruiz Jr. signed with Eddie Reynoso and embarked upon on an inspiring weight loss journey, or so it seemed. The initial footage even gave a glimpse of the heavyweight’s abs.
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Recent footage has suggested otherwise. A video that went viral showed Ruiz Jr. training with Ryan Garcia, Canelo Alvarez, and the team. He was hitting the heavy-bag while the others were getting in their workout. However, Ruiz Jr. didn’t seem to be as lean as before.
Ruiz Jr. certainly did not look overweight as he did in the Joshua rematch. Therefore, fans can safely say that he has lost some weight and got back in shape. But, it may not be as big a transformation as was initially assumed.
READ: Unorthodox But Effective- How WBC Champion Tyson Fury Trains
Who is Andy Ruiz Jr. fighting next?
Ruiz J. did not fight in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, recent training has suggested that the former champion is ready to make his mark on the heavyweight division again. Although, he would need a worthy opponent for that.
Reports suggest that his next fight could be the same opponent he would have faced in 2020. Mike Coppinger from the Athletic reported that the Chris Arreola fight is still on. Moreover, he gave an insight into the timeline, suggesting that ‘Destroyer’ could return in the spring.
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Obviously this fight never happened in late 2020, but per sources, the clash between former heavyweight champion Andy Ruiz Jr. and Chris Arreola is still on and now slated for the spring https://t.co/YM2zsEj84Q
— Mike Coppinger (@MikeCoppinger) February 12, 2021
Therefore, come the spring, we will find out whether the former champion has actually lost weight. However, one thing is for sure, Andy Ruiz Jr. will go into the fight in better shape than his outing at ‘Clash On The Dunes’.
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What do you make of Andy Ruiz Jr’s weight loss? Do you think the former champion has actually lost weight?
