Ruiz vs Ortiz will take place on September 4 at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. FITETV will present the PPV event in the US, Canada and Europe. Order the event now at FITE.
Ruiz – Ortiz will headline a stacked four-fight pay-per-view telecast beginning at 9 pm ET/6 pm PT.
ANDY RUIZ JR.
“I feel very good. The hard work has already paid off and now it’s time to have fun on September 4th. We’re going to leave it all in the ring. Ortiz and I are going to be champions, so you know it’s going to be a great fight.
“I’m ready. I had a long training camp. I know what Ortiz brings to the ring and I know what I am capable of. I just have to stay focused and execute.
“When I try to go for the knockout, it usually doesn’t go the way I want. I’m training for 12 rounds and if the knockout comes, it comes. You better believe I’m in a condition to push myself through all 12 rounds.
“I have been training hard because we want to climb back up the ladder of the heavyweight division. That’s why we chose a tough guy like Luis Ortiz. He has a tough style but I am confident and sure that I am going to win this fight on September 4th.
“There is going to be a crazy atmosphere in that arena. All the Mexican fans will be there supporting, and may the best man win. I’m glad Ortiz is predicting a knockout, because I’m ready for anything. My only prediction is that I will win.
“A matchup against Deontay Wilder would be an amazing fight. The heavyweight division is wide open, but I’m not overlooking Luis Ortiz. If Wilder is next, he is next. It’s an easy fight to make.
“I feel like I’m in a good state of mind right now. I’m doing everything I’m supposed to do. I underestimated my last opponent, but I am really focused on what Luis Ortiz brings. This is another chapter for me and my career.
“Ortiz’s age doesn’t matter, especially in the heavyweight division. Because one hit is going to change the whole fight. I just have to be smart and explosive and turn it up when I need to.
“Everyone on my team has the same game plan. We want to be champions and we want to make history. The way to do that is by preparing yourself right here in the gym.
“I want to take advantage of every moment I have in boxing. Especially for these big fights, because I want to succeed and make the most of my career.”
ALFREDO OSUNA, Ruiz’s Trainer
“We know that we are only a few days away from the fight and that is a completely different feeling from where we started. We are ready to take on Luis Ortiz and give all the fans the fight they want to see on September 4th.
“Andy is in great shape. He couldn’t be doing better. The best part of this training camp is that he has been happy, disciplined and as dedicated as ever.
“We know that Luis Ortiz is a dangerous opponent who deserves all our respect. But he not only has those two losses, both were by knockout and that’s what we’re looking for.
“(Luis Ortiz’s trainer) Herman Caicedo can say what he wants about Andy and I’s chemistry. I’ve been called into question before and proved everyone wrong. If he says I don’t have enough experience with Andy, then he has an open invitation to come and work with us and we’ll show him the vibe we have at Team Ruiz.
“There is a very high percentage chance that this fight will end in a knockout. We are prepared for anything, but we will see what happens on September 4.
“My message to the fans is to come out on September 4, because it’s going to be a war. This is the kind of fight that people love to watch.”
ANTHONY GARNICA
“It is a blessing to be part of Team Ruiz. It has been a dream for me to be in this situation. This fight is another springboard in my career and I have to prove it. Fans will see a strong, fast and elusive boxer in the ring.
“I have been working hard for this fight. This is the biggest place I’ve ever fought. I’m working hard to get to the same level that Andy Ruiz Jr. is at. It’s motivating to be around him and see what it takes.”
LUIS ORTIZ
“I feel very good both physically and mentally. I’m looking forward to this fight and you don’t want to miss it when we get in that ring.
“After fighting Charles Martin, I was back in the gym a week later. Whether I have a fight or not, I am always active and ready.
“I have a lot of respect for Deontay Wilder and I appreciate that he chose me in this fight. My intention is to knock out Andy Ruiz. One of us is being eliminated and I can guarantee this one will not go to the judges.
“I have studied Andy from top to bottom. If I don’t knock you out with one punch, I’m going to break you until you can’t take it anymore.
“Training camp is coming to an end and it’s exciting. We are waiting for camp to end and fight night to begin. My goal is always the same and does not change. I am trying to do whatever it takes to beat my opponent.
“Every training camp is different and we have made adjustments now as we have in the past. We’ll show off those tweaks and improvements when the fight comes around.
“I’m just focused on myself and doing my job. What’s going to give Ruiz trouble is me, regardless of what style I’m using.
“I am always trying to get to the top of the mountain. I want the jackpot. This is a very important fight for me, but so is every fight. All of them bring me closer to another world title shot.
“It’s about training, training and more training. I feel better now than when I was 25 years old.”
RA’EESE ALEEM
“This is a great fight. I’m excited. It’s going to be an electric fight on a huge card. I’m fighting for the number one spot again and I can’t wait. I’m going to put on a show, be the best version of myself and make it all happen.
“I want to fight all the top fighters in the division. My ultimate goal is to become world champion and I have to beat the best to get there. Plania and I have a lot of momentum right now and that makes for a great fight.
“I’m an exciting fighter and I throw punches in bunches and get ahead of myself. I can’t stand it and I don’t run. He says that he wants to go toe-to-toe, so it will be a great fight for the fans.
“This has the potential to be the fight of the night and I think it will be. We are both bringing our A games. This is a fight everyone should see and I can’t wait.
“I have been following my dreams and trying to make it all happen. Plania is an extremely tough fighter who has faced some of the best. I believe that if I am the best version of myself, I am not only capable of winning, but of dominating the fight.
“Every training camp is semi-the same, you just tweak a few things or tweak something. The routine is the routine and it does not stop.
“I love doing an action fight. It’s just the beast in me. I don’t care if I’m up on the scorecards in the final round, I’m trying to get him out of there. I don’t like taking chances with judges. I have to be smart against a good fighter, but I’m definitely working on being in.
“I take care of my body. I do what champions have to do to be the best I can be. I feel like I’m at my best and I keep getting better and better. You are always evolving in this sport and I think the best is yet to come.
“My ultimate goal is to be the man to fight for a world title. I want the next world title fight no matter who it is against. Stephen Fulton is a great fighter and a strong technical fighter. He has earned those belts and it is my job to take them away from him.”
HERMAN CAICEDO, Ortiz’s Trainer
“Ortiz has been even more focused and more focused, and that says a lot. He is always ready and puts his heart 100% into everything we do. He never leaves the gym and I have to tell him to take it easy.
“The level of focus he has shown is a testament to who he is and what he believes in. I am very happy with what she is doing in this camp.
“Not only is he more motivated, but he’s outperforming the young guys at what we do in the gym. He is also very strong mentally and I think that is the greatest attribute of him. That is why he is still here at this age.
“What I know is that Luis and I trust each other in what we are doing. I don’t know how much chemistry Ruiz and his corner have right now, so if things get messy, will he trust his corner? I know my corner will and I will trust him.
“In the end, it will all come down to skill, dedication, who puts in the effort and who wants it more.”
BOBBY MCROY, Coach of Aleem
“Mike Plania is a picture of our previous opponents. People don’t really recognize how cunning he is, but he wants to fight. He definitely wants to introduce himself, but we’re going to back him off.
“We follow the flow of the fight. We make our own fight. We dictate what happens in the ring. That’s what ring generalship is.
“I don’t mind that Ra’eese likes to bet in the ring sometimes, you just have to bet smart. He has that bravado to fight on the inside, but you still have defensive responsibilities.
“We want to send a chilling message that Aleem is number one at 122. We are going to put on a show and make a big statement. We are telling the champions that they eventually have to fight us.”
