![]() “I’m trying to make a big statement,” said Ruiz at Thursday’s press conference. He claims to now be in a better place in his life and his boxing career. Over the last several months, Ruiz has put out videos on social media of him much slimmer and in shape in preparation for the Ortiz fight. The reign was short-lived as he would lose to Joshua by unanimous decision in the rematch over six months later, due in part by putting on 16.5 pounds from the first fight, partying and not training enough in a lackluster effort. The 32-year-old reached the pinnacle of his career, at this point, in June 2019, overcoming a knockdown to knock out and defeat Joshua to win the unified heavyweight title. De Los Santos was only added to the card Wednesday when Jezreel Corrales couldn't secure a travel visa from Panama.Ruiz (34-2, 22 knockouts), who resides in Imperial, Calif., has not fought since May 1 of last year, when he defeated Chris Arreola by unanimous decision in a clash of Mexican-American fighters. The pay-per-view card opened with an enormous upset: Edwin De Los Santos, a Dominican lightweight filling in as a late replacement opponent, battered previously unbeaten Mexican prospect José Valenzuela for a third-round stoppage victory. “But I felt good, and I thought I was landing the more powerful shots. “Obviously it had been over four years, so I was a little off with my timing, and a little sluggish," Mares said. ![]() Mares tired in the second half, but won 96-94 on one judge's card. He recovered from surgery on a detached retina shortly before the start of the coronavirus pandemic, and his ring absence stretched on while he landed a commentary job with Showtime.īut Mares eventually decided he had to return, and he looked quite sharp early against Flores (25-4-1) with a series of big right hands that rocked his opponent. Mares (31-3-2) hadn't fought since his second loss to Leo Santa Cruz in June 2018. It was a blessing we were able to be successful.”Įarlier, Cruz (24-2-1, 17 KOs) made his case for a rematch with Gervonta “Tank” Davis with his two-round demolition of Ramirez, first knocking him down face-first with a left hook to the jaw before finishing him with a combination in the corner.ĭavis, who narrowly beat Cruz by decision last December, smiled as he watched the bout from ringside amid chants of: “We want Tank!” from Cruz's fans. “I was waiting for him to load up, and countering him when he did. But Ruiz connected again late in the seventh, staggering Ortiz before sending him to the canvas with a right to the top of the head. Neither fighter threw much or risked much in the next four rounds, and the crowd that loudly backed Ruiz grumbled its displeasure. Do you think I’m done after the way I fought? Do the people think I’m done? I don’t think so.” ![]() “To everyone who said that I’m old, I gave you a war today," Ortiz said. Ortiz wobbled to his feet and soon slipped back down while trying to clinch with Ruiz, but he made it to the bell. ![]() I want to be a champion again.”Īfter entering the ring in a blue-and-gold robe and trunks featuring the Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams' colors and helmet horns, Ruiz abruptly floored Ortiz early in the second round with a short right hand. “I want to fight at least three or four times a year. “I do not want to be waiting,” Ruiz said. Ruiz had fought just once since, but he rededicated himself to training with hopes of getting another shot at the belts. Ruiz pulled off one of the bigger upsets in recent heavyweight history when he took Anthony Joshua's three championship belts in 2019, only to lose them back to his British opponent six months later. The Associated Press also had Ruiz 114-111, with the knockdowns making the difference. “I thought I did a beautiful job boxing him around and handling his pressure.” “I worked so hard for this fight, because I knew he’s a warrior and he hits hard,” Ruiz said.
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