‘This chubby kid is fighting for a place in history’
Andy Ruiz aims to seize Joshua’s world crown for Mexico, Gareth A Davies writes in New York
Andy Ruiz Jnr has a cherubic face and describes himself as a “little, chubby kid”, but ahead of his career-defining fight against Anthony Joshua on Saturday, he has revealed a far-from-innocent backstory full of street-fighting, drugs and gangs.
The 29-year-old has replaced Jarrell Miller as Joshua’s opponent at Madison Square Garden and appreciates what it would mean to become the first Mexican heavyweight champion of the world.
“Boxing and my dad saved my life,” says the fighter who has been labelled variously as “Billy Bunter”, a “fat slob” (by former promoter Bob Arum) and other choice phrases since Miller’s three drug-test failures ruled him out of challenging for the International Boxing Federation, World Boxing Organisation and World Boxing Association belts.
Ruiz grew up in Imperial, California, 200 miles south-east of Los Angeles and 10 miles from the Mexican border. Drug-running, human trafficking and gangs are commonplace along the border across from Mexicali. “I was always hanging around with the wrong crowd and crew. There are a lot of gang members out there where I
live. They’re all druggies. Some of my family members are gang or related to the gang,” Ruiz says.
“I’ve been in many street fights. I fought street fights for my friends to protect them. My dad would go and look for me everywhere: alleys, houses and knocking at the doors to get me to go to the gym. I’d be hanging around with the wrong crowd. Thanks to boxing and my dad, I was steered in the right direction.”
Andy Ruiz Snr, sitting near by, describes his son “getting into fights with men, and the cops. I had to pull him off them many times”.
“I was fighting a lot of cops at 10, 11 years old,” Ruiz says. “A lot of grown men. I think I got a lot of experience there. Taking punches from grown men when I was just a young kid. Then I dropped out of high school [expelled at 15 for fighting] and my dad wanted me to work in his construction company. But I decided to follow my dreams, and my dad still stuck by me.
“He was always pushing me. This chubby kid is here now, fighting to become the first Mexican heavyweight champion of the world. It’s a blessing to have been given this opportunity.” From earning just $30,000 (£24,000) for a fight against journeyman Kevin Johnson 10 months ago, Ruiz is understood to be earning $3million to pit his wits against one of boxing’s biggest stars.
“Being from a small farmers’ town, going back and forth to Mexico, hours waiting in the line to cross back home and training for hours, that’s why I represent Mexicali, because it means a lot to me,” says Ruiz, who has Hecho En Mexico (Made In Mexico) tattooed on his right arm.
“A lot of people say I’m not Mexican because I don’t speak a lot of Spanish or am there a lot, but the United States is where it’s at. Mexico’s in my blood, in my DNA. It’s in my kids’ DNA.”
Ruiz, smiling and softly spoken, has a fast jab, is light on his feet and has the ability to throw an acute, rapid left hook. These are the weapons he must employ with alacrity against Joshua, a huge favourite for his debut in the United States. His is an all-action Mexican style.
“The Mexican style is exciting. It’s a go-hard or go-home style. We go in there to kill and to win. It means a lot to us, winning and fighting for Mexico. We have to give it all,” he says.
Ruiz has 32 victories and 21 knockouts on his record, his only defeat on points to Joseph Parker, the former WBO champion who was beaten on decision by Joshua, himself unbeaten in 22 fights.
“I’m willing to put my life on the line against Anthony Joshua. It’s going to mean a lot not just for me and my family, but for my country. I’ll be in the books: Andy Ruiz Jnr, the first Mexican heavyweight
‘I can do it early. It only takes one shot to change the fight’
‘I was fighting cops when I was 10 – taking punches from men’
champion of the world. I’m already getting goosebumps by hearing that. That’s the main goal I’ve had since I was a little kid.”
Ruiz has deep respect for Joshua. “He’s the champion for a reason. This is going to be the toughest fight of my career. I know he’ll do his best and I’ll do my best, may the best man win. I’m here to make a statement and prove all the doubters wrong. To let them know what this little chubby kid can do.
“I can do it early. In this heavyweight division it only takes one shot to change the whole fight, the whole division.”
Ruiz laughs off the taunts. “My whole life they’ve been underestimating me because of my big belly. All that gives me power. What I have is God-given speed. The main thing is to prove to the world that with hard work and dedication, anything is possible.”
It has been a long road. But boxing has changed Ruiz, and one punch – the right punch – could change the pattern and shape of his life forever, and make him a legend. “You pick your destiny or maybe destiny picks you,” he says. “But it picked me to box, definitely. This is my chance to make a mark on the world, and I’m taking it with both hands.”