Andy Ruiz managed a twelve-round, unanimous decision over Luis Ortiz. Judges Zachary Young (114-111). Eddie Hernandez (114-111) and Fernando Villareal (113-112) scored in favor of Ruiz, who floored Ortiz twice in round two and again in round seven to prevail in their WBC heavyweight title semifinal eliminator Sunday evening at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
“It was hard,” Ruiz admitted to Fox Sports’ Heidi Androl of facing his first career southpaw. “Ortiz is a warrior who hits hard. I did a beautiful job boxing him around. I showed more class than I usually do just coming forward.”
Ortiz with a big shot on Ruiz!#RuizOrtiz pic.twitter.com/zGKOtegT6G
— FOX Sports: PBC (@PBConFOX) September 5, 2022
Ortiz fell to 33-3 (28KOs) even after barely outlanding Ruiz 78-to-76 though at a much lower percentage (18.2 percent, compared to 26.5 percent for Ruiz) according to Compubox’s unofficial punch statistics. The loss snaps a two-fight win streak, including a dramatic sixth-round knockout of Charles Martin in a January 1 fight that saw him down twice before rallying to stop the former IBF heavyweight titlist.
The latest defeat likely dashes Ortiz’s hopes for a third title shot. His previous two defeats came at the championship level, suffering knockout losses to then-unbeaten WBC titlist Deontay Wilder in March 2018 and November 2019.
Andy Ruiz answers back with a BIG knock down!#RuizOrtiz pic.twitter.com/XZrwZBwG1V
— FOX Sports: PBC (@PBConFOX) September 5, 2022
Ruiz made history, becoming the first fighter of Mexican descent to win the heavyweight crown. He lost to Joshua in the rematch, having fought just twice since then including Sunday’s win. That part is an area he wants to drastically change.
“I do not want to be waiting so long to fight,” said Ruiz. “I want to fight at least three, four times a year, man. I want to be champion again and bring that belt back to Mexico!”.
Ruiz remains one spot behind Wilder in the WBC rankings after emerging victorious in Sunday’s semifinal eliminator. Wilder (42-2-1, 41KOs) looks to rebound from back-to-back knockout losses to WBC/lineal heavyweight champion Tyson Fury (32-0-1, 23KOs) as he faces Robert Helenius October 15.
Andy Ruiz gets his third knock down of the fight late in the 7th round!#RuizOrtiz pic.twitter.com/dcEa7HqCxu
— FOX Sports: PBC (@PBConFOX) September 5, 2022
Once upon a time, a Ruiz-Wilder fight would have represented a clash for the undisputed championship. It would now serve as a best-of-the-rest showdown, if such a fight can be made.
“Deontay Wilder’s back. He’s always looking for greatness,” Wilder said after entering the ring to congratulate both Ruiz and Ortiz. “That’s what he loves to give the fans. If that’s what’s lined up next—I gotta handle business but after that, we can get it on.”
Such a fight would work well within Ruiz’s plan to remain more active and push toward another title shot.
