Andy Ruiz Jr. continues to be fat-shamed by fans and people within boxing despite being a respected former heavyweight champion.
One thing sickeningly apparent is that since he lost his world titles and his marriage broke up, there’s a lack of care for the Mexican-American’s mental health.
The horrid bullying of Ruiz Jr. has become too much in the four years since he lost his unified crown to Anthony Joshua in an ill-fated rematch. Many have waded in without knowing why things happened the way they did.
Ruiz Jr. won the world title by ripping away Joshua’s four world titles. After years of grafting without anyone noticing and coming from poverty, they finally took notice.
Many fail to realize that, months before the Joshua fight, Ruiz contemplated quitting the sport altogether.
Leaving Top Rank at the end of a long association without too much to show for it at 29 was disheartening enough for Ruiz Jr. Then Al Haymon stepped into the breach with a promise to build Ruiz Jr. towards a world title shot in the years ahead.
Within four months, and after picking up a modest purse for beating Alexander Dimitrenko in his comeback outing, Ruiz landed a big fish.
The Rise and Fall of Andy Ruiz Jr.
A considerable step up in wages was on offer. A situation Ruiz believed already made him a winner in the sport. Finally able to provide for his family the way he wanted to, Ruiz had nothing to lose heading into the New York clash.
Losing to AJ meant Ruiz had already won. However, that’s where the ultimate Eye of the Tiger, plus the perfect storm for an upset, emanated.
In front of a massively pro-Joshua crowd at Madison Square Garden, the Mecca of Boxing, Ruiz Jr. took advantage of overconfidence. Joshua put his chin up in the air without researching the strengths of Ruiz and paid the ultimate price for it.
Ruiz not only took AJ’s belts, he flattened the air of invincibility the Briton’s team had spent years building up.
Unbelievably, just six months after thinking hard about retirement, Ruiz Jr. was the unified heavyweight champion of the world.
Additionally, he became the first boxer of Mexican descent to win the top-division crown. It was a double-whammy in terms of overwhelming pressure.
Two whole weeks of interviews and a clutch of parties saw Ruiz lapping up the adulation. The last thing on his mind was a contracted rematch.
Party time
Once the formalities died down, it was onto the spending: cars, jewelry, and gifts for family. A considerable house followed. And what do you do with a new home? – You have a housewarming party or ten!
Those two weeks quickly turned into two months. Ruiz next attempted to buy some time as Joshua continually pushed for a rematch venue in the contract.
Haggling over the purse, venue, and anything else he could manage, Ruiz was merely stalling as the non-stop celebration continued.
The 34-year-old managed to get another month out of his new lifestyle before the quick return was on the cusp of being confirmed.
By this time, Ruiz was in advanced party mode, to the point where he had put out a video stating no such fight would occur. A check-boost later, and Ruiz was on board. He tentatively took to the gym.
At one point, the lack of beer and food saw Ruiz shed weight quite easily. This was before smokescreens and mirrors filled the column inches over his poundage.
But somewhere towards the end of camp, it all got too much for Ruiz, and things went badly wrong. We may never know the absolute truth on that score, whether it was the mental pressure or the fact that he knew his body wasn’t in the proper condition.
Ruiz fat-shamed
Ruiz has since admitted he didn’t even train and is unsure how he lasted those twelve rounds with Joshua.
Having only fought twice since then, Ruiz has seen his career stall, his wife move out, and the offers to fight dry up. But that hasn’t stopped him from being called all the names under the sun for his trouble.
Even respected boxing people, some Hall of Famers, have been less than kind to the ex-world ruler.
From what we know, looking at social media, Andy Ruiz Jr. is a nice guy. He loves his children, and he’s a provider. So, giving him such a hard time when he’s already dealing with a shattering fall from grace is downright disheartening to watch.
Despite sensational and denied claims from his ex-wife of abuse, nothing would deserve the jibes Ruiz faces over his weight daily.
Those experienced in the sport should know better. Andy should be allowed to deal with the Cinderella story however he wants before passing judgment. At the end of the day, if his career winds down without another chapter, he’ll only have himself to blame.
One thing is for sure – whatever happens in the future will have nothing to do with how much he scales.
The views expressed in this article are the opinions of experienced boxing writer Phil Jay.
