Heavyweight Andy Ruiz Jr will fight for the first time in over a year as he tries to put himself back in the world-title picture by beating Luis Ortiz.
The duo have fought for world titles and, in Ruiz Jr's case, held them, and a victory in Los Angeles could put them back in the frame for a future title fight.
What | Andy Ruiz Jr vs. Luis Ortiz |
Where | Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles |
When | Approx 04:00 UK time, Sunday 4th September 2022 |
How to watch | Fox Sports PPV |
Odds | Andy Ruiz Jr 11/4, Luis Ortiz 1/4 |
The fight is scheduled to take place on Sunday, 4th September.
The main card should get underway at 02:00 while the main event ringwalks are scheduled to start at 04:00. Depending on the results of the main card, these timings could change on the night.
Ruiz Jr's return to the ring will take place at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California.
A broadcaster has yet to be announced for the UK at present, while Fox Sports PPV will air the fight in the USA, although those wishing to watch will need to pay $74.99.
Ruiz Jr is listed as the 1/4 favourite for September's bout, even though he was last in the ring in May 2021.
"Destroyer" beat Chris Arreola on points in Carson in May, but that was his only outing since losing to Anthony Joshua in Saudi Arabia in 2019.
Despite his inactivity, Ruiz Jr is 10 years younger than Ortiz, and that should play its part in the result.
Neither fighter will defend a belt in Los Angeles, with Ruiz Jr losing his four titles in December 2019 to Joshua.
Ortiz has never held a world title of his own, but he has boxed for the WBC heavyweight title on two occasions, but Deontay Wilder stopped him on both occasions.
September's fight is an eliminator for the WBC heavyweight title, which is currently held by Tyson Fury.
Ruiz Jr's record stands at 34-2 since he turned professional in 2009. He has recorded 22 stoppage wins so far in his career, including his incredible victory over Joshua in New York in June 2019.
While Ruiz Jr's CV is not littered with big names, he has only been beaten by former world champions. Before Joshua got the better of him, Joseph Parker beat him on points in 2016.
Ortiz continues to fight at the top of the heavyweight division, despite turning 43 in March. He boasts a record of 33 wins and two defeats, with both of those losses coming against Wilder.
Ortiz was outboxing Wilder during their latest bout, only to succumb to one of the American's trademark right hands. Ortiz Jr has beaten the likes of Charles Martin, Christian Hammer, David Allen, Malik Scott, Tony Thompson and Bryant Jennings, and he has the power to cause Ruiz Jr problems.
Two lightweight fights will get the main card underway in Los Angeles, with Jose Valenzuela tackling Jezreel Corrales while Abner Mares takes on Miguel Flores.
Both of those bouts will take place at lightweight, as will the chief support fight.
Isaac Cruz and Eduardo Ramirez will trade leather for a shot at the WBC title later this year.
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