Andy Ruiz: More Focused Than Ever Before

Former heavyweight champion Andy Ruiz Jr. is back on the comeback trail as he faces Chris Arreola live from the Dignity Health Sports Complex in Carson, California, on Fox pay-per-view on May 1.

Speaking with the media yesterday, Ruiz finally gave us the real reason he lost Anthony Joshua’s rematch back in December 2019.

“I had chi-chis. I had t-ts that wouldn’t let me throw the right punches and all that. But, you know, now I’m more motivated, I’m more dedicated in this sport, and, you know, sky’s the limit.” Ruiz joked on the virtual media call yesterday.

It doesn’t get any simpler than that. His “dad-bod” got in the way.

All-action heavyweight @nightmareboxing revists underestimating @Andy_destroyer1’s vicious arsenal in past sparring sessions ahead of their highly-anticipated May 1st @PBConFOX PPV showdown!

For more #RuizArreola Fight Night Details : https://t.co/k3o9zskrst pic.twitter.com/6ESZL8e9BI

— Premier Boxing Champions (@premierboxing) March 30, 2021

Seriously, much has been made as he came in way overweight in the rematch against Joshua, and rightfully so as Ruz came on to the scale at 287 pounds en route to that unanimous decision loss. That defeat sent him into depression, weighing as much as 310 pounds afterward and subsequently changing trainers during this time from Manny Robles to Eddy Reynoso. Ruiz credits Reynoso on the new focus he has to get back to the top.

“Working with Eddy has helped change my mentality. His mentality is that we can’t take anything for granted in this sport. We’ve been working on a lot of different things, and I have the ability to do a lot of new things with Eddy. I can’t wait to show everyone the new Andy Ruiz Jr. on May 1 because I’m more motivated right now than I ever have been before,” Ruiz stated.

“Now that I’ve been dropping weight the right way, I feel amazing. I feel like I can do a lot more things that I couldn’t do before because of my body. The sky is the limit for me,” Ruiz noted.

This was also a point that Reynoso on the media call stated, as well as he sees the effort and work that Ruiz put in.

“Andy is strong, and he has a tremendous focus. I have to congratulate Andy on his effort and dedication so far. I do believe that on May 1, everyone is going to see a much different and improved Andy Ruiz Jr,” Reynoso quipped.

One glance at Ruiz’s Instagram account and the days of party videos which seemed to be takeover that page once he upset Joshua, are replaced with wall-to-wall training and workout videos. We’ll see if this new mindset will get him past Arreola to kick off the month of May.