Former heavyweight champion Ruiz insists 2024 will be ‘his year’ despite prolonged inactivity

Andy Ruiz Jnr ruled out until new year after minor surgery

Former heavyweight world champion Andy Ruiz Jnr will be out of action until at least the new year after undergoing minor surgery.

Ruiz insists 2024 will be ‘his year’ despite prolonged inactivity

The 34-year-old, who has only fought twice since losing his belts to Anthony Joshua in 2019, has insisted that next year will bring about a change in prospects for him, claiming that 2024 will be “his year.”

Ruiz’s hopes of blockbuster clashes dashed as popularity plummets

However, Ruiz is unlikely to draw the blockbuster clashes he was capable of in 2019, given his prolonged inactivity. His popularity has also plummeted in recent years, with speculation mounting that he might be nearing the end of his boxing career.

Trainer Malik Scott claims Ruiz asked for too much money to fight Deontay Wilder

There had been reports that Ruiz had been calling out Deontay Wilder, but nothing materialized, with Wilder’s trainer Malik Scott claiming that Ruiz was asking for too much money.

Speculation mounts over Ruiz’s future as boxing career nears an end

Ruiz pocketed a reported £8.23million ($10m) from facing Joshua, but he has only fought twice since then and is unlikely to be able to command anywhere near as large a fee to step into the ring in the future.

Conclusion

Ruiz’s future in boxing is uncertain. He is out of action until at least the new year and his popularity has plummeted in recent years. It remains to be seen whether he can make a successful comeback in 2024.