Two heavyweights clash in a crossroads meeting over ten rounds at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles this Sunday evening, as former unified world champion, Andy Ruiz Jr takes on former two-time world title challenger, Luis Ortiz over 12 rounds or less.
Ruiz Jr vs Ortiz will be broadcast on FOX pay-per-view in the USA and FITE TV pay-per-view in the UK.
Ruiz Jr (34-2, 22 KOs) caused one of the biggest heavyweight upsets of all-time in June 2019, when he stepped in at late notice to stop Anthony Joshua in seven rounds to win the WBA ‘super’, IBF, WBO and IBO crowns.
A rematch was a given, and the ‘Destroyer’ had certainly celebrated his win a little too hard and was never really in the fight, as Joshua largely coasted to a wide points win in Saudi Arabia.
The Californian took over a year out of the sport, and returned in May last year, facing faded former world title challenger, Chris Arreola, and Ruiz Jr paid for rustiness as he was dropped in the second round, but he recovered to take a clear win on the cards.
Ortiz (33-2, 28 KOs) represents a dangerous assignment for the 32-year-old and he carries power.
‘King Kong’ first challenged for the WBC belt in March 2018, where he gave Deontay Wilder trouble before being stopped in ten rounds.
Three straight wins followed, and that led to a rematch with Wilder, and this time the Cuban veteran was widely ahead on all three cards until ‘The Bronze Bomber’ found the equaliser to score a seventh round knockout.
The 43-year-old was last out in January, stopping Charles Martin in six wild rounds with two knockdowns apiece.
Prediction: This is a great looking match-up, and a lot depends on how much desire both men have left. Ortiz will be dangerous early, and as long as Ruiz Jr can negotiate that, he should take a points win in what should be an entertaining tussle.
Cruz clashes with Ramirez
There is plenty on offer on the undercard. In a battle of former world title challengers, Isaac Cruz (23-2-1, 16 KOs) should take the vacant WBC Silver lightweight title with a win on the scorecards over 12 rounds against Eduardo Ramirez (27-2-3, 12 KOs).
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Martin returns
In eight round action, Charles Martin (28-3-1, 25 KOs) returns from defeat to the aforementioned Ortiz, and he can halt Devin Vargas (22-7, 9 KOs) in their heavyweight contest.
Mares faces Flores
Former world champion, Abner Mares (31-3-1, 15 KOs) now campaigns at lightweight, fighting for the first time since 2018, and the Californian can return with a stoppage win against Miguel Flores (25-4, 12 KOs) over a scheduled ten rounds.
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Remaining Undercard
Jose Valenzuela (12-0, 8 KOs) can defend his WBC Continental Americas lightweight title by outscoring former world champion, Jezzrel Corrales (26-4 10 KOs) over ten.
Ra’eese Aleem (19-0, 12 KOs) gets a decent test, and he can defend his WBO NABO super bantamweight title with a points win over Mike Plania (26-1, 13 KOs).
The final ten rounder comes at middleweight, where Joseph Spencer (15-0, 10 KOs) should get the better of Kevin Salgado Zambrano (14-0-1, 9 KOs) via the scorecards.
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At super lightweight, Jesus Silveyra Carrillo (10-7-2, 4 KOs) can stop Matt Gaver (3-6-2, 1 KO), and Anthony Garnica (9-0-1, 5 KOs) can remain unbeaten with a points win at super bantamweight against Juan Antonio Lopez (17-10, 7 KOs).
In a six rounder, Anthony Cuba (4-0-1, 3 KOs) should take a points win at lightweight against Oscar Alan Perez (5-0, 4 KOs).
In four round action, Juan Esteban Garcia (10-0-2, 7 KOs) can win on points against Gilberto Mendoza (19-13-3, 10 KOs) at flyweight, whilst Kel Spencer (1-0) can notch a second professional win by stopping Deljerro Revello (1-3).
