Andrés Ponce Ruiz Jr. Bio
Andrés Ponce Ruiz Jr., known professionally as Andy Ruiz, is an American heavyweight boxer born on September 11, 1989, in Imperial, California. Nicknamed “Destroyer,” Ruiz made history in 2019 as the first heavyweight champion of Mexican descent by capturing the unified WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, and IBO heavyweight titles. He began his professional career in 2009 and has been active in the heavyweight division ever since.
Early Life and Background
Ruiz was born and raised in Imperial, California, to parents who emigrated from Mexico. His father worked in construction before starting a house-flipping business. Ruiz initially had a passion for baseball but was introduced to boxing by his father at a young age. He had his first fight at age seven in San Diego and later worked in construction before committing full-time to boxing. Ruiz’s grandfather owned a boxing gym in Mexicali, Mexico, which was frequented by featherweight champion Jorge Páez. Ruiz earned the nickname “Destroyer” as a child due to his tendency to break things before he even began boxing.
He graduated from Imperial High School in 2007 and identifies strongly with both his American and Mexican heritage. Fluent in English and Spanish, Ruiz embraces his dual nationality and the values of hard work and dedication associated with his background.
Path to Boxing
Ruiz began his amateur boxing career in Mexico, compiling an impressive 105–5 record under Cuban trainer Fernando Ferrer. His amateur highlights include two Mexican National Junior Olympics gold medals and a title at the Ringside World Championships. He also competed in two 2008 Olympic qualification tournaments representing Mexico but did not qualify for the Beijing Games. Ruiz’s amateur success laid a solid foundation for his professional career, which he launched in 2009.
He made his professional debut at age 19 in Tijuana, Mexico, winning by first-round knockout. Early in his career, Ruiz fought primarily journeymen opponents but demonstrated notable power and speed. His development was supported by various trainers and sparring partners, including time spent with renowned coach Freddie Roach and sparring with former UFC heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski.
Andrés Ponce Ruiz Jr. Career
Early Career (2009–2016)
Ruiz’s professional debut came on March 28, 2009, with a first-round knockout victory in Tijuana. Over the next several years, he built an undefeated record by defeating a series of opponents across Mexico and the United States. Notable early victories included wins over Joe Hanks and Tor Hamer, which earned him the WBO Inter-Continental heavyweight title and the WBC-NABF heavyweight title respectively.
In 2014, Ruiz defeated former WBO heavyweight champion Siarhei Liakhovich by unanimous decision, marking his first fight that went the full ten rounds. He continued to defend his regional titles successfully while honing his skills and gaining experience against increasingly challenging opponents.
Rise to Prominence and Title Contention (2017–2018)
In late 2017, Ruiz began working with strength and conditioning trainer Angel “Memo” Heredia. He returned to the ring in early 2018 with a knockout win over Devin Vargas and followed that with a unanimous decision victory against former world title challenger Kevin Johnson. These performances positioned Ruiz as a rising contender in the heavyweight division and led to his signing with Premier Boxing Champions in 2019.
Unified Heavyweight Champion (2019)
Ruiz’s career-defining moment came on June 1, 2019, when he faced Anthony Joshua for the unified WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, and IBO heavyweight titles at Madison Square Garden. Ruiz was a late replacement for Jarrell Miller and entered the fight as a significant underdog. Despite being knocked down in the third round, Ruiz rallied to knock Joshua down four times, winning by seventh-round technical knockout. This upset victory made Ruiz the first heavyweight champion of Mexican descent and only the second Hispanic heavyweight champion in history.
Ruiz’s reign was short-lived, as he lost the rematch to Joshua in December 2019 by unanimous decision. He admitted to not training diligently for the rematch, which contributed to the loss. Nevertheless, Ruiz’s victory remains one of boxing’s biggest upsets and a landmark achievement in his career.
Post-Title Career and Recent Fights (2020–Present)
After losing his titles, Ruiz changed trainers, hiring Eddy Reynoso in 2020 before later switching to Alfredo Osuna. In May 2021, Ruiz defeated former WBC title challenger Chris Arreola by unanimous decision, marking a successful return to the ring. In September 2022, Ruiz won a WBC title eliminator against former interim champion Luis Ortiz by a close unanimous decision, showcasing his resilience and power with three knockdowns during the fight.
Ruiz suffered a right shoulder injury requiring surgery and was inactive for nearly two years. In 2024, he was announced to fight Jarrell Miller in a heavyweight bout scheduled for August 3 in Los Angeles. The fight ended in a majority draw, with Ruiz competing despite a fractured right hand sustained during the bout.
Driving Style and Strengths
Ruiz fights from an orthodox stance and is known for his quick hand speed and powerful punching ability. His reach of 74 inches complements his aggressive style, allowing him to deliver effective combinations. Ruiz combines resilience with tactical adjustments, often overcoming adversity in fights through determination and power.
Notable Events and Milestones
Ruiz’s most notable milestone is his 2019 victory over Anthony Joshua, which stands as one of boxing’s greatest upsets. He is recognized as the first heavyweight champion of Mexican descent, a historic achievement that elevated his profile globally. Ruiz has also demonstrated the ability to recover from setbacks, maintaining relevance in the heavyweight division through key victories and competitive performances.
Andrés Ponce Ruiz Jr. Career Wins
As of now, Ruiz has competed in 38 professional fights, securing 35 wins with 22 by knockout, 1 draw, and 2 losses. His knockout power and ability to finish fights have been consistent throughout his career, contributing to his status as a top heavyweight contender and former unified world champion.
Professional Boxing Highlights
Ruiz’s first professional win came by first-round knockout in 2009. His career highlight is the 2019 technical knockout victory over Anthony Joshua to claim the unified heavyweight titles. Ruiz has successfully defended regional titles multiple times and has earned significant wins against notable opponents such as Luis Ortiz and Chris Arreola. His career showcases a blend of power, skill, and resilience across the heavyweight division.
Other Wins & Performances
Beyond his world title success, Ruiz has claimed regional belts including the WBO Inter-Continental and WBC-NABF heavyweight titles. His victories over contenders like Tor Hamer and Joe Hanks helped establish his credentials leading up to his world championship run.
Andrés Ponce Ruiz Jr. Family
Family Background and Heritage
Ruiz’s parents emigrated from Mexico to the United States, and his family background has played a significant role in his identity and boxing career. His grandfather’s ownership of a boxing gym in Mexicali connected Ruiz to the sport from an early age. Ruiz embraces his Mexican-American heritage, which is reflected in his fighting spirit and public persona.
Personal Life
Ruiz resides in his hometown of Imperial, California. He graduated from Imperial High School in 2007. Fluent in English and Spanish, Ruiz identifies strongly with both American and Mexican cultures. Details about his marital status and children are not publicly confirmed.
2025 Season Performance
Looking ahead to 2025, Ruiz aims to build on his recent performances and remain a key figure in the heavyweight division. Following his comeback fight in 2024 against Jarrell Miller, Ruiz’s focus will be on regaining momentum and positioning himself for another world title opportunity. His training under Alfredo Osuna and experience against top contenders provide a foundation for continued success. The 2025 season is expected to be pivotal as Ruiz seeks to reestablish himself among the elite heavyweights globally.