Andy Ruiz Jr. is now just one step away from landing a massive Pay Per View fight with knockout artist Deontay Wilder.
The former unified heavyweight world champion known as “The Destroyer” scored three knockdowns for a unanimous decision win.
“King Kong” Ortiz showed why he is considered a top contender in his WBC heavyweight title eliminator.
The fight headlined a FOX Sports PBC pay-per-view on Sunday night from the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
andy ruiz jr
“Everyone doubted me, but I worked hard for this fight,” Ruiz said. “Ortiz is a warrior who hits hard.
“I did a beautiful job boxing him. I showed more class than I usually do when I introduce myself.”
The first boxer of Mexican descent to become world heavyweight champion, Ruiz (35-2, 22 KOs) had his hometown crowd on their feet from the start.
He delivered a clean right hand to score his first knockdown in the second round.
Ortiz (33-3, 28 KOs) would hit the canvas for the second time in the round. But he got back on his feet and delivered several solid left hands to stay in the fight and get through the round.
“I told you I was going to be a warrior. That’s what I did,” Ortiz said. “This is Cuba vs. Mexico. This is what I live for.
“To all those who said that I am old, today I gave you a war. There are always surprises in boxing. That’s what you have if you didn’t think I’d give it my all.”
louis ortiz
Ortiz bounced back into the fight in the later rounds with impressive boxing while relying on his jab and movement. He prevented Ruiz from dealing more damage.
However, in the seventh round, Ruiz struck again. He backed up his opponent with a straight right hand before moving in and dropping Ortiz with an overhand right hand.
“It was a tough fight,” Ruiz said. “I was waiting for him to charge and countering him when he did. It was a blessing that we were able to succeed.”
Although Ruiz kept going, Ortiz again used his excellent boxing acumen to stay in the fight.
Ortiz even had a slight 78-76 advantage in punches landed, according to CompuBox. But it was Ruiz’s 67 power shots to Ortiz’s 56 that made the difference.
After hurting Ortiz again in round eleven and winning the round on all three scorecards, Ruiz was able to stave off a late charge from Ortiz.
He outboxed the fight on the judges’ scorecards with scores of 114-111 twice and 113-112.
Deontay Wilder fight
After the fight, Ruiz expressed his willingness to meet former WBC heavyweight world champion Deontay Wilder in a possible blockbuster showdown.
That one step he needs to land the clash is for Wilder to be successful in his return to the ring on October 15 against Robert Helenius.
The fight is another FOX Sports PBC Pay-Per-View and another WBC title eliminator. The winner will get a shot at the green and gold strap.
Wilder, sitting ringside, agreed with Ruiz’s enthusiasm for the potential matchup.
“If Deontay wins in October, we are with the same management. We can make this fight happen,” Ruiz Jr. said. “Let’s do it. Let’s move on. I’m hungry and I want to be champion again and bring that belt to Mexico.”
“Deontay Wilder is back, and I’m always looking for exciting fights for the fans,” Wilder said. “If Andy Ruiz Jr. is what he’s after, then I’m ready to do it.”
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