On the heels of his immediate fall from grace, Andy Ruiz readily admits that sweeping changes are needed in order to return to the top.
High on the list of priorities for the former unified heavyweight titlist is to secure a new head training moving forward. Ruiz is without a leading voice in his corner after having partied ways with Manny Robles following his lopsided 12-round loss to Anthony Joshua in their title fight rematch last December.
By his own admission, Ruiz neither trained properly nor heeded the advice of Robles in the months following a historic title-winning 7th round knockout over England’s Joshua (23-1, 21KOs) last June in New York City. His reign lasted just six months, returning the titles to Joshua in a rematch where he added more than 15 pounds of weight to his already beefy frame.
“I know Manny Robles was talking stuff that I didn't do this, I didn't do that in the gym. I admitted it, you know, and in the fight as well,” Ruiz (33-2, 22KOs) noted to Fox Sports’ Kate Abdo during the most recent installment of Inside PBC Boxing on FS1. “Now, there needs to be a new Andy. There needs to be a new change. That's why I changed trainers and just want to stay focused. I made history and I want to make history again.”
Before a comeback can be planned out, an architect is required to draw up the blueprint.
Among the names to have surfaced in Ruiz’s active search for a new trainer is Teddy Atlas, a veteran trainer and former TV analyst who is best known in boxing circles for his no-nonsense approach to teaching the sport. The Staten Island-bred boxing personality guided Michael Moorer to two separate heavyweight title reigns—including his becoming the first-ever southpaw to win the World (lineal) heavyweight championship.
Among his other notable clients include Oleksandr Gvozdyk, now a former champ who enlisted Atlas’ service ahead of his World light heavyweight championship win over Adonis Stevenson. Atlas himself has acknowledged the possibility of working with Ruiz, who in turn has confessed to his being a candidate.
“He is, he's one of the guys on the list,” admitted Ruiz. “He's one of the great heavyweight trainers. He can teach me discipline as well.”
A lack of self-control has long plagued Ruiz’s career, having previously served as a wedge in his relationship with former promoter Bob Arum and Top Rank. Having now enjoyed a healthy whiff of boxing royalty, the drastic fall came with a realization of what is required to make his way back to the top of the heavyweight heap.
“Discipline, remaining focused and going out of the way,” stated Ruiz, acknowledging a need to train as far away from home as possible. “I can go out of the way, stay focused and get these belts back.”
While a decision has yet to be made on whether he will work with Atlas, it’s clear that Ruiz and Robles are beyond the point of reconciliation.
“I didn't blame him,” Ruiz notes of his now former cornerman. “He said I didn't listen, I didn't train hard and that's exactly what I told everybody else.
“I know that when I come back, I'm gonna train hard. I haven't made a decision but I will make a decision by next month.”
Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox