{"id":802730,"date":"2026-07-15T03:55:10","date_gmt":"2026-07-15T03:55:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/802730\/"},"modified":"2026-07-15T03:55:10","modified_gmt":"2026-07-15T03:55:10","slug":"andy-ruiz-jr-set-to-return-in-tnt-headliner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/802730\/","title":{"rendered":"Andy Ruiz Jr Set to Return in TNT Headliner"},"content":{"rendered":"

After two years away from the ring, Andy\u00a0Ruiz Jr. is finally ready to return.<\/a><\/p>\n

The 36-year-old former unified heavyweight champion\u00a0has not stepped into the squared circle since fighting Jarrell \u2018Big Baby\u2019 Miller to a draw in August 2024. The\u00a0Mexican-American\u00a0has been slowly working\u00a0his way back to the ring since, before taking the next step by signing with Matchroom Boxing\u00a0in\u00a0early July.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Ruiz has now officially booked his return fight in his Matchroom Boxing debut. \u2018The Destroyer\u2019 will face recent WBC interim heavyweight title challenger\u00a0Damian\u00a0Knyba\u00a0on Sept. 4, the promotion announced on Tuesday. The fight will\u00a0headline\u00a0the third boxing event broadcast on TNT in the United States.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Back at it \ud83d\udc4a\ud83d\udc4a<\/p>\n

Andy Ruiz returns to the ring against 6\u20197 Polish puncher Damian Knyba on Friday 4 September at @PruCenter<\/a> \ud83d\udca5<\/p>\n

In chief support Vito Mielnicki Jr and Ammo Williams battle it out for the IBF USBA, WBO Global & WBC Continental Americas Middleweight Titles \ud83d\udee1\ufe0f\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/rIRHwhWTgH<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) July 14, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Former middleweight world title challenger Austin \u2018Ammo\u2019 Williams will fight recent Matchroom signing Vito Mielnicki Jr in the co-main event, the promotion also confirmed. Williams\u00a0just unsuccessfully challenged WBC 160-pound champion Carlos Adames in March.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Ruiz and\u00a0Knyba\u00a0had been rumored for the\u00a0Sept. 4 date weeks before the announcement made it official.\u00a0Knyba\u00a0is coming off his first professional loss to Agit\u00a0Kabayel\u00a0for the WBC interim title<\/a> in January.\u00a0<\/p>\n

In preparation for his return, Ruiz has also realigned with former trainer Manny Robles, according to a report from\u00a0BoxingScene.\u00a0He last competed under the\u00a0tutelage\u00a0of Freddie Roach at\u00a0Wild\u00a0Card Boxing.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Barring injury, Ruiz will be competing for just the third time in the last five years. Before fighting Miller, he had not fought since beating Luis Ortiz by unanimous decision in September 2022.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Ruiz insists that he is still gunning for a second heavyweight title\u00a0reign, despite his recent inactivity. His only two losses came in title fights against former champions Anthony Joshua and Joseph Parker.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Andy Ruiz Jr vs Damian\u00a0Knyba\u00a0joins DAZN on TNT lineup\u00a0<\/p>\n

With\u00a0Ruiz and\u00a0Knyba\u00a0now on the books,\u00a0TNT is set to broadcast another edition of \u2018The Fight.\u2019 The series kicked off with Abdullah Mason vs. Albert Bell on July 4, which peaked at 820,000 views.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Andy<\/p>\n

Andy Ruiz | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n

The Mason vs. Bell success is expected to parlay into another massive title fight scheduled to headline an\u00a0Aug. 1\u00a0event. \u2018The Fight\u2019 part two will be headlined by lightweight stars Lamont Roach Jr.\u00a0and William Zepeda\u00a0battling for the vacant WBC 135-pound belt.<\/p>\n

The second edition of \u2018The Fight\u2019 consists of two lightweight title fights, with WBC titleholder Raymond Muratalla defending his strap against former\u00a0130-pound\u00a0champion Robson Conceicao.\u00a0The Brazilian is coming off a split decision loss to O\u2019Shaquie Foster in November 2024, costing him his title.<\/p>\n

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