Andy Ruiz (left) and Luis Ortiz. Photo by Ryan Hafey/Premier Boxing Champions
Heavyweight contenders Andy Ruiz and Luis Ortiz stepped in earlier today for Sunday’s WBC title eliminator at Crypto.com Arena (formerly known as Staples Center), in Los Angeles, California.
The Ruiz-Ortiz bout will headline a four-fight FOX Sports PBC pay-per-view telecast (9 pm ET/6 pm PT), and is a clash between heavyweights ranked in the top 10 by The Ring. Ruiz and Ortiz are ranked No. 5 and 6, respectively.
Ruiz weighed in at 268.8 pounds, while Ortiz weighed in at 245.4 pounds.
In his most recent fight on May 1 of last year, Ruiz (34-2, 22 KO’s), who resides in Imperial, California, defeated Chris Arreola by unanimous decision. In the Arreola fight, Ruiz weighed in at 255 pounds, nearly 14 pounds lighter than Sunday’s clash against Oriz.
The 32-year-old reached the peak of his career in June 2019, overcoming a knockdown to stop Anthony Joshua and win the IBF, WBA and WBO unified heavyweight titles. The reign was short-lived, as he would lose to Joshua by unanimous decision in the rematch six months later, due in part to putting on 16.5 pounds from the first fight, partying, and not training enough, resulting in a lackluster effort.
Ortiz (33-2, 28 KOs), who is originally from Camaguey, Cuba, and now resides in Miami, Florida, overcame two knockdowns to stop former IBF champion Charles Martin in the sixth round last January. Martin was up on all three judges’ scorecards at the time of the stoppage.
The 43-year-old southpaw suffered the only two losses of his professional career at the hands of then-WBC champion Deontay Wilder.
Completing the rest of the pay-per-view broadcast:
Isaac Cruz 135 pounds, Eduardo Ramirez 134.4 pounds
(WBC lightweight title eliminator)
Abner Mares 134.2, Miguel Flores 134.8 pounds.
Jose Valenuela 134.6, Edwin De Los Santos 133.8 pounds
In an intriguing clash of junior featherweight contenders, airing live on FS1 at 7 pm ET/4 p.m. 26-1, 13 KOs), of the Philippines, in a 10-round bout. Aleem weighed in at 121.6 pounds. Plania weighed 121.8 pounds.
In a clash of undefeated junior middleweight prospects, airing live on FOX at 8 pm ET/5 p.m. -1, 9 KOs) in a 10-round bout.
Francisco A. Salazar has written for The Ring since October 2013 and has covered boxing in Southern California and abroad since 2000. Francisco also covers boxing for the Ventura County, California, Star newspaper. He can be contacted by email at [email protected] or on Twitter @FSalazarBoxing.
