Andy Ruiz Jr beat Luis Ortiz by unanimous determination on Sunday evening on his return to the ring, scoring three spectacular knockdowns en path to the triumph.
The previous heavyweight world champion confirmed flashes of the harmful hand velocity that he used to knock Anthony Joshua out again in 2019, and referred to as for a battle with Deontay Wilder after the win was confirmed.
The battle – staged on the Crypto.com Area in Los Angeles – started with Ortiz making an attempt to assert management by way of his southpaw jab within the opening minute.
Ruiz Jr was not intimidated although, and utilised his famed heavyweight hand velocity to catch the Cuban with a few clear pictures.
Nevertheless, it was Ortiz who ended spherical one the strongest as he hammered the Mexican-American with a tough left which caught his consideration.
Within the second, the motion opened up as Ruiz Jr floored Ortiz with a surprising quick proper hand to the facet of the top.
The Cuban made it again to his ft, however not for lengthy as he collapsed to the canvas once more for a second knockdown shortly afterwards along with his legs nonetheless wobbly.
Remarkably although, Ortiz fired again after this and appeared to harm Ruiz Jr with a few exhausting lefts earlier than the bell rang.
In rounds three and 4, the Mexican-American boxed extra cautiously consequently.
Ruiz Jr’s quick counters continued to hassle Ortiz, although the exchanges had been considerably quieter than within the dramatic second.
The fifth and sixth had been constructive rounds for the Cuban as he prevented most of the pictures fired his approach and countered successfully.
As they hit the midway level, Ruiz Jr appeared forward with the 2 knockdowns in his favour, however Ortiz was creeping again into the competition.
Spherical seven noticed Ruiz Jr much less passive as he tried to finish this sample of positivity for Ortiz and knocked him down for a 3rd time with one other exhausting, quick proper hand.
The velocity of the hook to the facet of the top was harking back to the punches he used to knock Joshua out again in 2019.
Within the eighth, the Cuban sought as soon as once more to indicate that he nonetheless had loads left within the battle and arguably gained the spherical on account of his extra forceful method.
Ruiz Jr responded by popping out firing in spherical 9, however Ortiz’s counter punches assured that he remained cautious.
The motion slowed till Ortiz went for broke within the ultimate spherical.
Sadly for the Cuban although, Ruiz Jr had no intention of throwing away his lead and did sufficient to make it to the ultimate bell.
He was awarded the win by unanimous determination with scores of 113-112, 114-111, 114-111.
Within the aftermath, he referred to as for a battle with Deontay Wilder, who was sat ringside.
Ruiz Jr mentioned: “God prepared he wins in October. We’re in the identical organisation. I wanna thank Al Haymon. We will make this battle occur and let’s do it, let’s get it on”
Wilder replied: “Deontay Wilder’s again, we’re all the time on the lookout for nice, thrilling fights. If that’s what lies up subsequent, I’ve gotta deal with enterprise, however after that we are able to get it on”
