Crossroads bout – Andy Ruiz fights Luis Ortiz September 4

In 2019, Andy Ruiz was sitting on top of the boxing world after upsetting heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua.  Check out our guide to the top boxing betting strategies.

Ruiz wasn’t Joshua’s original opponent. It was supposed to be Jarrel Miller until Miller tested positive for a banned substance. Ruiz had a month to get ready for the fight. His career looked to have peaked after losing a close decision to IBF heavyweight titleholder Joseph Parker in 2016.

Odds for Ruiz/Ortiz

The weigh-in likely caused the odds to increase as Joshua, built like a bodybuilder, eyed the fleshy Ruiz.

The fight got off to a slow start.

It broke out in round three.

Joshua floored Ruiz with a wicked hook. Ruiz got up with a surprised look on his face. Joshua tried to end the match right there. He landed the knockout shot, a right hand, but Ruiz didn’t go down. He looked at Joshua.

Less than a minute later, Ruiz countered with a temple shot, causing Joshua to stumble to the canvas. Still disorientated, Joshua kissed the canvas again near the end of the round.

Joshua tried to box his way out of trouble. In round seven, Ruiz fired a barrage of blows that sent Joshua to the canvas for the third time. He got up but was down again seconds later. His disinterested gaze convinced the referee that he didn’t want to continue.

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Andy Ruiz was the heavyweight champion of the world. His reign was short, as Joshua regained his title six months later.

Ruiz (34-2,22 KOs) has had one fight since losing to Joshua. Knocked down in round two, he outpointed veteran Chris Arreola over 12 rounds.

This Sunday night at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA, Ruiz faces 43 going on 50 Luis Ortiz of Cuba. Ortiz (33-2,28 KOs) still packs some pop – as he demonstrated against Charles Martin eight months ago. An overhand left rendered Martin stationary.  Ortiz ended the fight moments later. The flip side is that Ortiz went down from a jab. His legs are older than him.

Ortiz was a few punches away from ending Deontay Wilder’s title reign in 2018. Wilder rebounded to starch Ortiz a few rounds later. A second shot produced the same result. (after winning the first six rounds)

Ortiz wants a knockout.

“This fight is not going the distance,” said Ortiz a few days ago.

Ruiz is confident of victory.

“If this ends in a knockout, it ends in a knockout,” Ruiz said. “My only goal is to be victorious.”

Ruiz is a 3-1 favorite. He’s younger by at least 11 years and has less mileage. His fast hands will be an advantage.

Ortiz will be dangerous early, but I see Ruiz winning.