Footage of brutal KO by young Andy Ruiz reemerges as Mexican heavyweight edges closer to Deontay Wilder fight
Andy Ruiz made a name for himself by knocking out Anthony Joshua in 2019 - but proved he was a serious contender several years earlier.
In 2013, the first Mexican to win a heavyweight world title was just an exciting young prospect who stood out due to his unconventional appearance.
4
Despite questions about his ability to make it to the top, Ruiz was running through opponents and securing vicious knockout wins that saw him rapidly climb the ranks.
Carl Davis, who boasted a 16-5 record at the time, looked the part with his chiselled physique and 6ft 4in frame, but proved to be no match for Ruiz when they fought.
Ruiz scored a 35-second knockout win that left everyone inside The Joint - a 4500-capacity arena in Las Vegas – stunned and concerned for his stricken opponent.
The 18-0 prospect proved that abs don’t win fights when he landed a rapid four-punch combination that dropped Davis to the seat of his pants in the opening seconds of their clash.
READ MORE ON ANDY RUIZ
Ruiz hurt him again immediately after the restart and finished the fight with a monstrous left hook that caused Lewis to fall statuesque to the canvas before their clash was waved off.
Worryingly, the American banged his head while falling and took a while to regain his senses and those commentating on the fight wondered aloud if Ruiz had knocked one of his teeth out.
Davis fought two more times before retiring with a 17-7 record.
Ruiz went 29 fights without losing until he ran into Joseph Parker who edged out in their WBO heavyweight title bout in December 2016.
Most read in Boxing
4
4
‘Destoyer’ bounced back with three straight wins to earn himself a shot at Joshua’s heavyweight belts when Jarrell Miller failed several drug tests and left the Englishman without an opponent for his US debut.
Ruiz recovered from the first knockdown of his career to drop Joshua four times and score a legendary seventh-round TKO upset win when they fought at Madison Square Garden in June 2019.
An immediate rematch followed, and Joshua regained his titles before ultimately losing them to Oleksandr Usyk who recently beat him in back-to-back bouts.
Meanwhile, Ruiz has scored unanimous decision wins over Chris Arreola and Luis Ortiz ahead of a potential clash with former WBC heavyweight king, Deontay Wilder.
4
‘The Bronze Bomber’ recently suggested a contract has been sent to Ruiz when he posed alongside his trainer, Malik Scott, who was wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with ‘TIMES UP!!!’
Ruiz responded by claiming negotiations are ongoing, but Wilder appears to be growing impatient with the 33-year-old who he sent another message on Sunday night.
The winner of Wilder vs Ruiz, which is being targeted for August or September, will be in line to face Joshua at the Saudi Arabian heavyweight mega-event that may be headlined by Tyson Fury's historic undisputed fight with Usyk.
Topics