Andy Ruiz, engagingly different
Andy Ruiz Jr earned the reputation as the destroyer of sporting goliath Anthony Joshua six months ago with four knockdowns and a stoppage victory at Madison Square Garden, New York, but when he arrives to train in Los Angeles, little about him has actually changed.
Commonly, world heavyweight champions – and Ruiz holds the World Boxing Association, World Boxing Organisation and International Boxing Federation belts – have a bulging entourage of agents and backroom staff, all enjoying a ride on the gravy train.
Here at Legendz Gym, before he heads to Saudi Arabia for a rematch with Joshua next Sunday, it is just Ruiz with his father, his lawyer (who has facilitated this interview) and his wise old trainer, Manny Robles, a man who will never change.
In short, Ruiz, who has it in his dancing fists and feet to destroy the legacy of Joshua, is a very different world champion.
There have been so many changes in his life since he beat Joshua, but not so many changes in the man himself. Yes, a mansion in San Diego, a yellow sports car, chat shows and the historic title of being the first Mexican to become heavyweight champion of the world. But they are just material gloss, he explains.
‘‘I’m still the same Andy Ruiz. I’m still the same chubby little fat kid with the big dream. I’m still that person.
‘‘Inside the ring, I’m the champion of the world. I’m Mr Hulk in there and I’ve still got a lot to accomplish. This journey now is what I’ve been dreaming about all my life. I accomplished my dreams on June 1 and I’ve still got a lot to prove on December 7.’’
It has changed his family’s life for ever. Earning US$20 million (NZ$31.3 million) for the two fights with Joshua has altered the prospects of his flesh and blood.
‘‘It feels good. It’s a big blessing, not only for me, but my mom, my dad, my brothers and my kids. This is what we fight for – to make our dreams come true and provide for the ones we love.
‘‘I have the same people I did on June 1. Those are the people who want me to do good and those are the only people I want around me. Good vibes and good people. My kids are my main entourage, I have five kids.
‘‘This is what I dreamt about and prayed for my whole life. Everything came so fast and I got a little overwhelmed by everything, if I’m honest, but I am grounded again, we have been working hard.’’
He looks the same ‘‘chubby little fat kid’’ with the cherubic face I met in the same location 17 days before he derailed the financial and sporting juggernaut of Joshua’s career.
‘‘I’ve got to remain humble and the same. Even though I’m the heavyweight champion of the world, I don’t walk like a bum. I remain me. I’ve had blessings and God has given me blessings. My coach still knocks on my door and demands I get to the gym. It is no different to what I have always done.’’
‘‘Fight fans are going to see the same thing [in Saudi Arabia] they saw on June 1. The guy with big dreams going in there to dominate and to be heavyweight champion. Of course, they’re going to see a lot of fireworks.
‘‘If he knocks me down, I’m going to get up and knock him down. I know he’ll try to do the same if I knock him down.
‘‘The main thing is to stay focused and disciplined.’’
It is Joshua, insists Ruiz, who will have been planning on making all the changes. Ruiz met fire with fire in New York, and floored a bamboozled Briton four times.
‘‘He’s going to have some tricks up his sleeve and it’s my job to not let that affect me. The main thing is pressure, throw combinations and use my speed. I can’t let him grow balls in there.’’