Andy Ruiz Jr.

Andy Ruiz Jr. is a Mexican-American professional boxer and former unified world heavyweight champion. He made history in 2019 by becoming the first heavyweight champion of Mexican descent, holding the WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, and IBO titles. Ruiz shocked the boxing world with a seventh-round TKO victory over Anthony Joshua at Madison Square Garden, one of the biggest upsets in sports history. Known for his quick hands and powerful combinations, Ruiz has a professional record of 35 wins, 2 losses, and 1 draw as of 2026. He remains an active contender, training under Eddy Reynoso and eyeing a comeback fight later this year. Fans admire his underdog story and his humble, family-oriented persona.[edit]

Ruiz grew up in Imperial Valley, California, in a boxing family. His father, Andrés Ruiz Sr., was an amateur boxer who started training him at age six. He attended Central Union High School in El Centro, balancing school with rigorous training. Inspired by Mexican legend Julio César Chávez, Ruiz had a standout amateur career with a 105-5 record, winning the U.S. National Championships at heavyweight in 2008. That same year, he represented Mexico at the Beijing Olympics but did not medal. He turned professional later in 2009 at age 19, making his debut with a first-round knockout.[edit]

Ruiz built an undefeated record through 2018, winning the WBO Inter-Continental heavyweight title in 2016 and the WBA Inter-Continental title in 2018. His breakthrough came on June 1, 2019, when he stepped in as a late replacement to face Anthony Joshua at Madison Square Garden. Ruiz knocked Joshua down four times before the fight was stopped in the seventh round, making him the unified heavyweight champion. He became an instant global sensation. In the December 2019 rematch in Saudi Arabia, Ruiz came in overweight at 283.7 lbs and lost the titles by unanimous decision. After a hiatus, he returned in 2021 with a win over Chris Arreola, followed by a unanimous decision victory against Luis Ortiz in 2022. In 2023, he fought Jarrell Miller to a majority draw. As of 2026, Ruiz is training for a late-year comeback fight, with ongoing talks for a bout against Deontay Wilder.[edit]

Ruiz is known for his quick hands, good head movement, and aggressive Mexican-style pressure fighting, despite often carrying extra weight. The media portrays him as a humble, family-oriented underdog who pulled off one of sports' greatest upsets. His weight fluctuations and training discipline are frequent topics of discussion. Fans call themselves "Team Ruiz" or "Destroyers," rallying around his Cinderella story and Mexican heritage. On Instagram, Ruiz posts training clips, family moments, and motivational messages, engaging regularly with his 2.1 million followers.[edit]

Andy Ruiz Jr. commands a distinct tier of global attention, recognized primarily within the combat sports sphere and among Mexican-American communities worldwide. His standing is quantified by the iFANN Global Fame Rankings, which place him as the 38th most famous person in MMA & Boxing, a position he has held steady since the previous cycle. This ranking reflects sustained visibility driven by his historic upset victory and subsequent career trajectory rather than transient viral spikes. The metrics track his prominence across media coverage, search behaviors, and consumption signals on a global scale. While his fame is concentrated in boxing, it extends to broader cultural conversations regarding underdog narratives and heritage representation. Regarding his supporters, there is no documented formal organization or coined name for his fanbase. Instead, his audience identifies with him through his nickname, "The Destroyer," and rallies around his status as the first heavyweight champion of Mexican descent. Fans often refer to themselves loosely as "Team Ruiz" or "Destroyers," but these terms lack official sanction as a structured fandom. Their engagement remains organic, centered on social media interactions and shared cultural pride rather than organized campaigns or rituals.[edit]

Andy Ruiz Jr. holds the distinction of being the first heavyweight champion of Mexican descent, a title secured during his upset victory over Anthony Joshua at Madison Square Garden. He knocked down Joshua four times during that match, an event widely cited as one of the greatest upsets in sports history. His amateur credentials include winning the U.S. National Championships at heavyweight in 2008. A devout Catholic, Ruiz bears a tattoo of the Virgin Mary on his chest. He is a known enthusiast of Mexican cuisine and the Los Angeles Dodgers, frequently attending their games. Throughout his professional tenure, weight management has remained a recurring topic of discussion alongside his aggressive fighting style. His father, Andrés Sr., served as his longtime trainer and continues to advise him. The narrative of his career is anchored by the 2019 upset, which cemented his legacy as a fighter who defied expectations against a dominant opponent. Recent developments see him re-entering the spotlight following a multi-year deal with Matchroom Boxing, aiming to challenge top contenders like Daniel Dubois. This resurgence reinforces the enduring nature of his legend as a boxer who continues to defy age and odds. The singular cultural mythology surrounding Ruiz centers entirely on his historic victory over Joshua in New York City, where he dethroned a man widely considered invincible. While some supporters identify via social media handles referencing his nickname "The Destroyer," no formal fan club name or organized ritual exists for his base. Fans often retell the story of the seven-round TKO as a moment that disrupted the heavyweight division's hierarchy, though no specific anecdotes regarding crowds shutting down streets or viral on-stage incidents beyond the fight itself have been documented.[edit]

Ruiz is the son of Andrés Ruiz Sr., a former amateur boxer, and Olivia Ruiz. He has four children with his ex-wife Julie Ruiz: three daughters born in 2017, 2019, and 2021, and a son born in 2023. The family lived in Imperial Valley, California, where Ruiz owns a home. He is a devout Christian and often credits his faith for guiding his career.[edit]

Ruiz is best known for his rivalry with Anthony Joshua, whom he defeated in 2019. He trains under Eddy Reynoso, who also trains Canelo Álvarez. His notable opponents include Chris Arreola, Luis Ortiz, and Jarrell Miller. He has been linked to a potential fight with Deontay Wilder.[edit]

Ruiz married Julie Ruiz in 2016. The couple had four children together: three daughters (born 2017, 2019, 2021) and a son (born 2023). In 2024, Julie filed for divorce citing irreconcilable differences, and the divorce was finalized in 2025. Ruiz has not publicly commented on the split. As of 2026, he is single and focused on his boxing career and children.[edit]

Per iFANN's editorial analysis, Andy Ruiz Jr.'s net worth stands at an estimated $15-20 million as of 2026. His career fight purses have accumulated to over $30 million, a sum that includes the $7 million earned for the initial Joshua bout along with pay-per-view bonuses and the $10 million secured during the rematch. Beyond his ring earnings, Ruiz maintains endorsement agreements with Everlast, Tecate, and DAZN. His portfolio extends into tangible assets, including real estate holdings in Imperial Valley, California, alongside investments in cryptocurrency and a local restaurant chain. He also holds equity stakes in a boxing gym and a clothing line.[edit]

Ruiz won The Ring Magazine Upset of the Year and BWAA Fighter of the Year in 2019 for his victory over Anthony Joshua. He also received an ESPY Award for Best Upset in 2020 and was named Fighter of the Year by the WBA, IBF, WBO, and IBO in 2019. He was inducted into the Mexican-American Sports Hall of Fame in 2022.[edit]