2<\/p>\n Ruiz Jr’s last performance against Miller left a lot to be desiredCredit: Mark Robinson \/ Matchroom Boxing<\/p>\n It marks his first outing since August 2024 when he held Jarrell Miller<\/a> to a controversial draw.<\/p>\n Ruiz Jr (35-2-1) broke his hand in that bout and spent a considerable stretch on the sidelines before reuniting with long-time coach Manny Robles<\/a> and signing with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing.<\/a><\/p>\n On Friday night, Ruiz Jr and Knyba met in Los Angeles to make their fight official with a launch press conference.<\/p>\n After both men had their say on the mic, the stage was cleared for a face-off.<\/p>\n READ MORE ON BOXING <\/p>\n Knyba, who stands 6ft 7in tall and boasts a monstrous 86in reach, cast a shadow over Ruiz Jr, who is by no means a small man at 6ft 2in.<\/p>\n Fans were left stunned by the size difference, with one writing: “That is a big bloke.”<\/p>\n Another posted: “Andy looking good, the other dude is huge though.”<\/p>\n A third commented: “Damian is so much bigger, it’s scary.”<\/p>\n Meanwhile, somebody else added: “The reach alone is a problem.”<\/p>\n Damian Knyba’s last fight<\/p>\n Knyba (17-1) suffered the first defeat of his professional career in January against newly crowned WBC heavyweight champion Agit Kabayel.<\/p>\n Knyba got off to an excellent start, tagging Kabayel with multiple uppercuts and straight shots before he was rocked by a leaping right hand.<\/p>\n Kabayel would then follow up with a flurry of shots as referee Mark Lyson stepped in and waved off the fight prematurely midway through the third round.<\/p>\n Knyba couldn’t help but feel hard done by the intervention, but he now has the opportunity to change the course of his career against Ruiz Jr.<\/p>\n What was said at the press conference?<\/p>\n “I want to thank Matchroom, Eddie Hearn and Andy Ruiz Jr<\/a> and his whole team for the opportunity,” said Knyba.<\/p>\n “I have my sights set very high, and I hold myself to a very high standard, and opportunities like this are a blessing, and I’m looking forward to it.”<\/p>\n For Ruiz Jr, an impressive performance against a live and game opponent would see him take one step closer to his ultimate goal of becoming a two-time world heavyweight champion, 7 years removed from his stunning upset over Anthony Joshua<\/a>.<\/p>\n 2<\/p>\n Knyba stands 6ft7 in and has one of the longest reaches in all of boxing (86in)Credit: Getty<\/p>\n “Thank God, I never thought I was going to be here again, especially with you and Matchroom,” Ruiz Jr told Hearn.<\/p>\n “It’s a big blessing, especially with all the downfalls I had, from the surgeries and all the stuff that was going on.<\/p>\n “But I’m so blessed to be here, and I’m hungry and excited.<\/p>\n “Reuniting with Manny Robles, now I know what hard work is again because that’s how I became champion, that is how I made my dreams come true.<\/p>\n “These last few fights of me doing my own training, it wasn’t the way, so that’s why I think I struggled so much in these other fights.<\/p>\n Read More on talkSPORT<\/p>\n “But now, it is a lot different. So I’m really happy and proud of myself for taking the next step and taking it seriously.”<\/p>\n Watch Boxing on DAZN<\/p>\n *If you click a link in this boxout, we will earn affiliate revenue<\/p>\n Sign up to DAZN<\/a> to access the definitive subscription for boxing fans.<\/p>\n Upgrade to DAZN Ultimate<\/a> from just \u00a324.99\/month, guaranteeing access to 185+ fights annually, a minimum of 12 pay-per-views at no extra cost, as well as every Lega Serie A match and other elite football access.<\/p>\n Alternatively, DAZN Standard<\/a> is just \u00a315.99\/month, with the caveat you will have to pay for pay-per-view events.<\/p>\n![\"Ruiz](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1784528661_889_081A5140.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Damian](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1784528662_967_damian-knyba-poland-celebrates-win-1035874935.jpg\")
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