Andy Ruiz Jr. is in advanced talks to return against Damian Knyba on September 4 in Newark, New Jersey, after more than two years out of the ring.
The fight would be Ruiz’s first appearance since his majority draw with Jarrell Miller in August 2024. The former unified heavyweight champion has struggled for consistency in recent years, with injuries, inactivity and failed talks for bigger fights slowing his momentum.
Knyba is also looking to rebuild. The 6-foot-7 Polish heavyweight suffered the first defeat of his professional career in January, when Agit Kabayel stopped him in three rounds in an interim WBC heavyweight title fight.
The matchup would give both fighters a chance to reset their careers. Ruiz, 36, needs to show he can still compete with ranked heavyweights, while Knyba will try to bounce back quickly from his first loss.
If finalized, the September 4 bout could help decide which man remains relevant in a heavyweight division that has shifted again following Oleksandr Usyk’s decision to vacate three of his world titles.
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