Andy Ruiz Jr., the former heavyweight champion of the world, claims his ex-wife stole the belts from him after he enjoyed the most successful night of his life when he shocked Anthony Joshua to pull off one of the biggest sporting shocks of all time. The victory happened in 2019 in New York City when the then-undefeated Joshua was tipped as a clear favorite to defend the WBA, WBO, IBF and IBO belts when Ruiz Jr. stepped in on short notice after Jarell Miller failed three drugs tests.
It seemed to be going the way many expected when Ruiz Jr. was sent to the canvas in the third round before the Mexican-American responded by dropping AJ just moments later, he then forced an eight-count on the defending champion. Ruiz Jr. would then go on to win the bout in the seventh round when he knocked the Brit to the floor twice, before the referee waved the bout off after AJ appeared to seem disoriented and unaware of his surroundings.
It saw Ruiz Jr. as the second Hispanic heavyweight champion in boxing history, but at the peak of his career his wife appeared to be uninterested as he claims she tried to take his belts away from him after they broke up. "I have a few [belts], but from my break-up and all that, they stole everything," Ruiz Jr. told DAZN ahead of his fight against Miller. "Almost $1 million worth of jewellery.
And my belts. My championship belts, she took that too. I know for a fact because she did that restraining order for me to move out of my house that I bought, and all my belts were there, my jewellery. She knew the combination to my safe and everything. So she literally wiped me out. I didn't care about the jewellery at that time. I was like, 'You know what, forget that, it's just material things'. But the championship belts hurt me a lot."
The Impact on Ruiz's Career
Ruiz Jr. would only go on to hold the heavyweight title for one fight as he immediately agreed to rematch Joshua on December 7, 2019. Joshua produced a professional and clinical performance to win by unanimous decision (118-110, 118-110, 119-109) in Saudi Arabia after he remained behind his jab and avoided getting close to trade punches, where Ruiz Jr. found success in their first fight. "I should have taken this fight more seriously," Ruiz Jr. said after the bout. "Three months of partying and celebrating affected me."
Ruiz Jr.'s Reflections on the Rematch
Ruiz Jr. has since struggled to recapture the form that saw him shock the world in 2019. He has been involved in a number of high-profile fights but has failed to consistently deliver the same level of performance. This has led to questions about his commitment to the sport and his ability to return to the top.
The Aftermath of the Break-up
The theft of his championship belts is just one of the many challenges Ruiz Jr. has faced in recent years. He has also been accused of pointing a gun at his ex-wife Julia Lemus and sexually assaulting her, allegations he vehemently denies. These allegations, coupled with his recent struggles in the ring, have undoubtedly taken their toll on Ruiz Jr. His future in boxing remains uncertain as he tries to navigate the personal and professional setbacks of his life.
The Aftermath of a Historic Upset: A Look Back at the Ruiz vs. Joshua Trilogy
The shock upset of Anthony Joshua by Andy Ruiz Jr. in 2019 was a moment that captured the attention of boxing fans worldwide. The victory, which saw Ruiz Jr. become the first boxer of Mexican heritage to win the heavyweight title, was a testament to the power and resilience of the underdog. However, the victory proved short-lived, as Joshua sought redemption in a rematch just six months later. The rematch saw Joshua reclaim the championship belts, but the fight marked a significant turning point in the careers of both fighters.
The Ruiz vs. Joshua trilogy, a story of unlikely heroes, unexpected upsets, and the consequences of fame and fortune, exemplifies the unpredictable nature of boxing. It is a tale of ambition, disappointment, and the struggles of finding one's way back to the top. While Ruiz Jr. may have lost the physical belts, his place in boxing history as one of the biggest upset artists of all time is secure. However, only time will tell if he can truly regain the championship form that once made him a household name. The story of Andy Ruiz Jr. remains one of great potential, but one also marked by adversity and a desire to overcome the obstacles he faces both inside and outside the ring.
