Andy Ruiz vs. Damian Knyba | DAZN - September 4, 2026

[londonwar]

Kynba has a Polish fight listed for a month later.
one of these cant happen

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Fight week!!

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RUIZ SET ON BECOMING HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMP AGAIN: ‘I’M GONNA DIE TRYING’

Andy Ruiz isn’t completely satisfied with the hardware in his trophy case.

Although his 2019 upset win over Anthony Joshua turned him into a star and the first Mexican heavyweight champion, he knows that he never fully capitalized on that moment.

Ruiz lost the immediate rematch, along with his IBF, WBA and WBO titles, and has spent most of his time on the sidelines, fighting just three times since then.
Now, after signing a promotional deal with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing, he’ll officially return to the ring September 4 against Damian Knyba at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.

The goal is simple for Ruiz: Pick up more wins and add a few more titles to his trophy case.

“I still need to do things that I said I was gonna do. I want that Ring belt and WBC belt,” Ruiz said on the Mr. Verzace Podcast. “I want to become a two-time heavyweight champion so I’m gonna die trying.”

Luckily for Ruiz (35-2-1, 22 KOs), Hearn shares his same vision. The longtime promoter recently stated that the Imperial, California, native has what it takes to rise to the top of the division again.

First things first, though. Hearn wants Ruiz, who’s coming off hand surgery and a 2024 majority decision draw against Jarrell Miller, to take care of business against Knyba and then possibly another step-up fight. From there, Hearn wants to put him in with some of the division’s best, including Agit Kabayel., The Ring’s No. 2 contender and WBC beltholder.

For Ruiz, this run is personal. He’s well aware that he has more to do and is more determined than ever to make everyone, including himself, proud.

“I owe it to me,” he said. “I owe it to my fans in Mexico, I owe it to my family, and especially to God to continue that mission.”

[joshj909]

After this, another stay busy fight against someone like Ibeh, then rematch Miller if he beats Gassiev or, if Gassiev wins, perhaps face up against Torrez or Anderson. Winner is relevant again and will be in line for a decent opponent. A Parker/Ruiz rematch after all this time wouldn't be the worst fight should Ruiz be able to stay fit and interested while also winning those fights.

[Heldenjaeger]

After this, another stay busy fight against someone like Ibeh, then rematch Miller if he beats Gassiev or, if Gassiev wins, perhaps face up against Torrez or Anderson. Winner is relevant again and will be in line for a decent opponent. A Parker/Ruiz rematch after all this time wouldn't be the worst fight should Ruiz be able to stay fit and interested while also winning those fights.

Planning three fights ahead for Andy Ruiz is ambitious when the man fights once every two years. By the time he's ready for the next one we don't even know which of these heavyweights will still be around.

Let's see if he beats Knyba first. I doubt it.

[gilgamesh]

After this, another stay busy fight against someone like Ibeh, then rematch Miller if he beats Gassiev or, if Gassiev wins, perhaps face up against Torrez or Anderson. Winner is relevant again and will be in line for a decent opponent. A Parker/Ruiz rematch after all this time wouldn't be the worst fight should Ruiz be able to stay fit and interested while also winning those fights.

There's no guarantee he'll even win this one. He looked past it last time he fought which was 3 years ago. If he wins this fight here, you better get him a big money fight ASAP because he ain't got many more fights left in him.

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Press conference

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Ronnie Shields has Vito Mielnicki ready for Ammo Williams

WBO No. 3-ranked middleweight Vito Mielnicki Jr. says he’s ready for battle this Friday against WBO No. 2-ranked Austin “Ammo” Williams, live globally on DAZN and on TNT network’s “The Fight” in the United States, from the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.

Mielnicki Jr., (23-1, 13 KOs), and Williams, 20-2 (13 KOs), will meet in a scheduled 10-round co-main event, presented by Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing, headlined by former heavyweight champion Andy Ruiz, 35-2-1 (22 KOs), having his first fight in over two years against once-beaten Damian Knyba, 17-1 (11 KOs).

From nearby Roseland, New Jersey, Mielnicki, co-promoted by Matchroom Boxing and Boxlab Promotions, says preparing under the guidance of renowned trainer Ronnie Shields in Houston has him more than ready to take on the challenge of fighting Williams in front of family and friends with a potential world-title shot on the line.

“This camp with Ronnie has been exactly what I needed,” said Mielnicki. “Coming down to Houston takes me away from everything and lets me focus completely on boxing. Ronnie has been around this sport at the highest level for a long time, and there are little things he sees that can make a big difference in a fight. He's pushed me hard, but he's also made me think more in the ring. I feel like I'm becoming a more complete fighter every day I'm in the gym with him.

With his continued work under Shields, “White Magic” Mielnicki says he believes he’s capable of unveiling a new and improved version of himself in this important fight.

Mielnicki was last seen defending his IBF USBA and WBO Global Middleweight titles, while also picking up the vacant WBC Continental Americas Middleweight belt with a near-shutout unanimous decision over previously undefeated Omar Ulises Huerta in April.

“I don't want to be the same fighter I was six months ago or even in my last fight,” Mielnicki continued. “I'm still learning. I'm still hungry. That's one thing Ronnie and I agree on. Just because you're ranked No. 3 in the world doesn't mean you've arrived. If anything, it means you have to work harder because everybody is coming for your position. I've put everything into this camp, and I'm excited to show the improvements on September 4.”

The 24-year-old Mielnicki admits he’s facing perhaps his toughest opponent to date in the higher-ranked Williams, but relishes the challenge.

“Ammo is a good fighter, and I'm not going to sit here and pretend otherwise,” Mielnicki said. “He's talented, he's strong, and he's been in big fights. I want to thank him for taking this fight because he believes he can beat me, just like I believe I can beat him. That's what makes it interesting. You have two guys who know there is a lot on the line and neither one wants to take a step backward.

“I want a guy who is coming to win,” Mielnicki added. “I don't want somebody who is just happy to be there. I want somebody dangerous because when I beat a dangerous fighter, people have to accept it. I'm preparing for the best version of Ammo Williams. I'm ready to box if I have to box, fight if I have to fight and make adjustments if the fight changes. Whatever he brings, I believe I'll have an answer.”

[robbydecker]

Knyba has a good chance in this one.
His stoppage loss to Kabayal was due to an obviously biased ref.
No way that the fight should've been waved off in such an immediate fashion.
Even though I'm actually a fan of Kabayal, I simply cannot regard that bout as a truly legit victory for him.
If Knyba fights "Tall" versus Ruiz Jr then he definitely has a good chance to win on points.
If he somehow gets Goaded into a brawl or slugfest then he's probably Toast, especially with him being still too young and untested, but going by what I've seen of Knyba in his Better moments, The Kid definitely has truly high potential.

I picked him to win by decision on the Voting Poll section of this thread.
I'm basically only at around 60-40 with this prediction though, so obviously I'm not going to be surprised if he gets caught early or later in the bout and subsequently put away, even in a devastating Ko type of way.
This will likely occur if he goes with an improper approach to fighting and defending against the still very dangerous Ruiz Jr.
Otherwise, I can very much see Knyba fighting a cautiously methodical fight and winning a clear cut decision.

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Press conference

Live now

[tiny_acres]

Ruiz will be 37 one week after this fight. A 37 year old inactive fighter whose weight has been up and down more than a yoyo, Is not someone who I would be planning his next
3 fights. Andy is a likeable guy. He is just not anyone I'm going to get excited about at this stage of the game.

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Live weigh in