By Adam Baskin: Andy Ruiz vs. Luis Ortiz headlines next Sunday on FOX PPV from the Crypto Arena in Los Angeles, California. The event beings at 9:00 p.m. ET and goes for $74.99 on pay-per-view. Fans outside the US can watch the Ruiz vs Ortiz fight card live on FITETV.
The chief support fight is lightweight contender Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz taking on the always tough Eduardo Ramirez in a 12-round fight.
Former unified heavyweight champion Ruiz (34-2, 22 KOs) and Ortiz (33-2, 28 KOs) will be battling in a WBC title eliminator, with the winner to be the mandatory to champion Tyson Fury.
The 32-year-old Ruiz has a big advantage in youth and hand speed against the 43-year-old Ortiz, but we don’t know how well he’ll stand up to his punches.
The southpaw Ruiz is a tremendous puncher, and he could finish the job Chris Arreola started last year when he dropped Andy in the second round.
Ruiz-Ortiz undercard:
- Isaac Cruz vs. Eduardo Ramirez
- Abner Mares vs. Miguel Flores
- Jose Valenzuela vs. Jezzrel Corrales
- Joseph Spencer vs. Kevin Salgado Zambrano
- Ra’eese Aleem vs. Mike Plania
- Charles Martin vs. Devin Vargas
- Jesus Silveyra Carrillo vs. Austin Dulay
- Anthony Garnica vs. TBA
- Anthony Cuba vs. Oscar Alan Perez
- Daniel Garcia vs. TBA
- Juan Esteban Garcia vs. Gilberto Mendoza
- Kel Spencer vs. TBA
“How do I beat Luis Ortiz? By being smart, being cautious, being ready for whatever he’s going to come and bring,” said Andy Ruiz Jr to Premier Boxing Champions.
“I got to be ten times ahead of him. I think having the speed, the explosiveness, and breaking him down that’s the key. Breaking him down.
“I feel he hasn’t fought nobody like me,” Ruiz continued. “Me being shorter, me being more explosive and younger as well. I feel this is going to be one of his toughest fights as well.
“I’m coming back. I’m hungry right now. I know exactly what I want to do and exactly what I want to accomplish. I’m capable of doing every little thing in my mind because I’m focused,” said Ruiz.
“I’ve been doing 12 and 13 rounds of mitts almost. After we’re done sparring, we do more mitts, and the main thing is having fun inside here. That’s why I’m always laughing because I’m happy,” said Ruiz to K.O. Artists Sports.
