By Jim Dower: #7 WBC heavyweight contender Andy Ruiz (27-0, 18 KOs) kept his perfect unbeaten record intact with a 4th round injury stoppage win over 45-year-old former world title challenger Ray Austin 29-7-4, 18 KOs) on Saturday night at the Sportsmans Lodge in Studio City, California.
Ruiz knocked the 6’6” Austin down in the 1st round. Austin suffered a hand injury and chose not to come out for the 5th round.
The powerful but very slow Ruiz landed a huge right hand to the head of Austin in the 1st round. Ruiz attempted to finish Austin off but he was unable to land a big enough punch to get the knockout. Ruiz looked tired from the expenditure of energy while trying to get the knockout. Ruiz was still able to throw with power despite tiring but he couldn’t put his shots together. If he had stamina, he would have made short work of Austin.
The taller Austin was able to land jabs and right hand shots, but his punches had no effect on the round-bodied Ruiz. He was able to walk through the punches all night long to land his own big power shots.
The 6’2” Ruiz came into the fight weighing 248lbs. He didn’t look in the best of shape but this is normal for him. He’s usually kind of chunky looking.
Ruiz didn’t look too bad in the fight. He looked a lot better than he did in his contest against former WBO heavyweight champion Siarhei Liakhovich in December 2014. Ruiz appeared to lose that fight but was given a 10 round decision. That fight showed Ruiz for all his limitations. He can be outworked by fighters that can take his shots and push a fast pace, as Liakhovich did in that fight.
Ruiz faced badly when he’s forced to fight hard for three full minutes of a round for more than a couple of rounds. He gets tired and stays tired. Austin wasn’t able to push a fast pace due to his advanced age and his out of shape body. This was Ruiz’s third fight since his less than impressive performance against Liakhovich.
Ruiz is ranked #6 WBO, #8 IBF. He could be getting a world title shot sooner or later when one of the champions needs an opponent with an impressive record like Ruiz. He wouldn’t be any threat to beating IBF champion Anthony Joshua or WBO champion Tyson Fury. Getting a fight against WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder may prove to be impossible for Ruiz because he’s promoted by Top Rank and Wilder is with Al Haymon.
Ray Austin’s loss was his third in his last four fights since 2010. He’s fought only four times in the last six years since 2010. Austin has lost to Odlanier Solis, Bermane Stiverne and now Ruiz Jr. in the last six years. His only win during that time frame was against Earl Ladson. Austin was stopped in the 2nd round by IBF heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko in March 2007. Austin has wins over DaVarryl Williamson, Andrew Golota, Owen Beck, and draws against Lance Whitaker, Larry Donald and Sultan Ibragimov.