In an exclusive interview with Covers.com, the former unified world champion opened up about his comeback, who he’s looking to fight next, Dana White’s foray into boxing as well as a message to Jake Paul.
Andy Ruiz Jr. wants to rekindle rivalry with Anthony Joshua
“That’s something that I would love to (do). I think that would be like the first fight that I would even want to join because, you know, there’s bad blood that we left behind – especially me, losing against him in Saudi Arabia, I want my revenge.”
Oleksander Usyk is high on Ruiz’s wishlist – and he might be on Usyk’s, too
“I feel everybody’s just trying to get Usyk. Usyk is the one with the belts. Usyk is the one with the name. And Usyk is the money man. So I think that’s a good fight that I’d be interested in as well.”
“Maybe like a few weeks ago, I was messaging Usyk. I guess he sent me a message or something. I was like, ‘Hey, much love, brother. I would love to get in the ring with you. It would be a pleasure.’ And then he was like, ‘In God’s timing, we will do it. We will run it up.’ And I was like, ‘Oh, snap.’”
Ruiz wants the expected big names, and Francis Ngannou, too
“Usyk, Tyson Fury, Joshua, and (Deontay) Wilder for sure – four of them. Those are the big names.”
“I know they still underestimate this chubby little man, this chubby Mexican man. I don’t know if they would take the fight. I don’t know if they would think it’s too dangerous or whatnot. But a fight with Ngannou, I think that would be awesome.”
Ruiz on reuniting with Manny Robles
“(Robles and I) made history together against Anthony Joshua, and we’re going to do it again. I should be leaving in two weeks to Los Angeles to train with him in his facility. I’m excited to get out of my comfort zone, to go to his space and his gym, his rules, to stay dedicated.”
Ruiz has changed his tune on Jake Paul
“For a minute, I thought it was good because it was getting boxing a lot of publicity. Everybody was making the sport more popular. But once he starts picking his fights – fighting older guys, smaller guys – it’s kind of disrespectful, you know?
“I don’t want to talk s—, but yeah – I think it’s kind of disrespectful for him to choose smaller or older fighters.”
Ruiz hasn’t changed his desire to get in the ring with Paul, confident he’ll win
“I think I would like for him to fight Andy Ruiz.”
“I think like four rounds. I think I would be pressuring him, hitting him in the body, feinting, throwing my combinations. I think four rounds.”
Ruiz likes the possibilities Dana White brings to boxing
“I think he could be successful. He knows how to promote a fight – not just in boxing, but from his UFC experience. He’s done amazing things there. I think teaming up with Turki Al-Sheikh will give them both a lot of power and knowledge.”
To read the full interview, click here: https://www.covers.com/boxing/andy-ruiz-jr-on-oleksandr-usyk-francis-ngannou-jake-paul
