Former three-belt heavyweight champ Andy Ruiz Jr. (pictured) makes his long-awaited return to the ring against Poland's Damian Knyba on Friday September 4th at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey – the third headline show of TNT Sports and DAZN’s “The Fight,” the new monthly live boxing series, and will be broadcast co-exclusively in the U.S. on TNT, truTV and DAZN and worldwide on DAZN. Ruiz (35-2-1 22 KOs) is back in action after a two-year absence from the ring and having penned a promotional deal with Eddie Hearn and Matchroom last week, Mexico’s first ever heavyweight king is ready to reignite his quest to become a two-time champion. The 36-year old stunned the sporting world in June 2019 when he dethroned Anthony Joshua on a historic night in New York, and last tasted action in August 2024 in a back-and-forth majority draw with Jarrell Miller in Los Angeles, the third bout in a row in his home city following wins over Chris Arreola and Luis Ortiz.

 

Standing in the way of Ruiz plans to get back to the summit is Knyba (17-1 11 KOs), with the Polish giant looking end ‘The Destroyer’s’ grand plans at the first hurdle. Standing 6'7", Knyba is looking to bounce back to winning ways at the first attempt after taking on newly anointed WBC champion Agit Kabayel for the interim title in Germany in January. Knyba fights at the Prudential Center for the fourth time in his career, and the 30-year old can move into line for a world title crack with victory.

 

“I’m going to be fighting in Newark, New Jersey on September 4 baby,” said Ruiz Jr. “After we get this victory, I would love to fight all the guys that have the belts the Oleksandr Usyk vacated and we’re going to become a two-time champion next year, let’s get it.”

 

“I can’t wait to be back at the Prudential Center, my second home,” said Knyba. “I’m excited to be back in the ring in front of the New Jersey and New York fans, and they will fill the seats with white and red.”