By "Bigtime" Tim Kudgis

This past Monday on ATG Radio, we had the chance to sit down with Top Rank heavyweight prospect Andy Ruiz (19-0).  On 7/27 LIVE on HBO 2, Ruiz will be squaring off with fellow undefeated HW prospect Joe Hanks (20-0) in a fight that can catapult the winner into title contention.  When speaking to Ruiz we had the chance to cover several topics.  Here is what he had to say:

His thoughts on Joe Hanks:

Joe Hanks is pretty tall and pretty fast.  He is pretty strong.  I think I my speed and pressure and throwing combinations left and right, moving the head, just going forward and sticking to the game plan.  I think I will be too much for him.

On whether will he be looking for a KO:

 

I am going to stick with the game plan.  The game plan is to win.  I am going to use my speed, jab and combinations.  That is what people want to see.  They don't want to see a heavyweight that throws just one punch or two punches.  They want to see a different kind of heavyweight that throws punches like a smaller weight does.  The plan is to throw the combinations, let the hands go and hopefully the KO will come.

On his fight with Joe Hanks:

Top Rank and the matchmaker are the ones doing all of the fights and matchmaking.  The fight with Joe Hanks is a good fight.  I sparred with him when I was 16-17 years old and didn't have a problem with him when I was sparring him.  I think it will be a good fight.  He has fought with people who that really weren't that super good.  When was the last time he fought?  I think it was February.  He hasn't been active and I am ready to go!

On Tyson Fury's trash talk about being able to KO any Heavyweight:

There is always trash talkers.  This is pro boxing not pro talking shit game.  I like to do my talking in the ring.  I don't like to talk shit outside of the ring.  I like let the talking get done in the ring.  That is the kind of guy I am.  I don't like to call out people. I don't like to beat like I can beat this guy or this and that.  I am a real mellow guy.  I like to meet up in the ring and let it happen.

On facing the likes of Fury and or Wilder:

Sure of course.  As long as my promoter and manager are fine with it, I am ready to go.  I train hard.  A lot of people don't think so but I work hard.  I am only 19-0 and I think they have over 20 fights like 25 or 26.   I am pretty sure sometime next year we will go at it.

On facing Deontay Wilder

Deontay Wilder is a good fighter too. In 2008,  I went to China with him.  I think it was the pre-Olympics.  I don't know but I think I would do good with him.  I do better with taller people that are pretty fast than shorter people.  I am with it if the promoter and matchmaker is says it's right.  I'm with it.  Whatever I have to do to get my name up there in the rankings so if it is him I am with it.

To hear more from Andy Ruiz Jr. or to hear the interview in it's entirety go to ATGRADIO.COM!

Tim Kudgis is a co-host/producer of ATG Radio which airs every Monday & Wednesday from 7pm-9pm PST.  He also proudly covers the AZ Boxing scene for Boxingscene.com.  For more from Tim or ATG Radio check out ATGRADIO.com