It would be blind to ignore the parallels.
Chris Arreola and Andy Ruiz have often been as defined by what they could be as by what they have been. Battles with the scale have played a role in both their careers. For Ruiz, they limited his best chances to retain the heavyweight belts he won from Anthony Joshua in a massive 2019 upset. For Arreola, they may not have determined outcomes but it was hard to argue he gave himself his best chances years ago against the likes of Vitali Klitschko and Tomasz Adamek.
They’ve both found success despite those issues. Now, they’ve found each other. In a fight that easily meets the cliche of being a crossroads affair, we have Andy Ruiz looking for another crack at the top and Arreola looking for an opening to remain. It won’t be dull Saturday night (Fox PPV, 9 PM EST).
Let’s get into it.
Stats and Stakes
Andy Ruiz
Age: 31
Title: None
Previous Titles: WBA/IBF/WBO Heavyweight (2019)
Height: 6’2
Weight: 256 lbs.
Stance: Orthodox
Hails from: Imperial, California
Record: 33-2, 22 KO
Press Rankings: #4 (TBRB, Boxing News), #6 (Ring, ESPN), #7 BoxRec)
Record in Major Title Fights: 1-2, 1 KO
Last Five Opponents: 137-18-1 (.881)
Notable Outcomes, TBRB/Ring Rated Foes: Joseph Parker L12; Anthony Joshua TKO7, L12
Additional Results, Current/Former Champions/Titlists Faced: Sergey Lyakhovich UD10
Vs.
Chris Arreola
Age: 40
Title/Previous Titles: None
Height: 6’3
Weight: 228 ½ lbs.
Stance: Orthodox
Hails from: Escondido, California
Record: 38-6-1, 33 KO, 3 KOBY
Press Rankings: Unrated
Record in Major Title Fights: 0-3, 3 KOBY
Last Five Opponents: 122-11-5 (.902)
Notable Outcomes, TBRB/Ring Rated Foes: Vitali Klitschko RTD by 10; Bermane Stiverne TKO by 6; Deontay Wilder RTD by 8; Adam Kownacki L12
Additional Results, Current/Former Champions/Titlists Faced: Tomasz Adamek L12; Bermane Stiverne L12
The Pick: It’s hard to believe given how long he’s been around but, despite three alphabet title shots, Arreola has never beaten a heavyweight rated in the top ten of either TBRB or Ring. This could be Arreola's last chance to do so and he’s made the effort. Arreola has competed memorably at times but never quite broken through with a defining win. A career low on the scale, Arreola can see the calendar and knows time isn’t on his side. He’s coming to win.
Ruiz isn’t a career low but he looks better than he has in quite some time and is nearly thirty pounds lighter than he was in the Joshua rematch. Arreola is taller and has longer arms but Ruiz possesses some of the quickest hands in the class with less in the way of professional wear. In a fight where neither man is likely going to have to work to find the other, speed and youth are too significant to ignore. The pick is Ruiz by mid-rounds stoppage.
Additional Weekend Picks
Joseph Parker Dec. Dereck Chisora
Katie Taylor Dec. Natasha Jonas
Rold Picks 2021: 22-3
Cliff Rold is the Managing Editor of BoxingScene, a founding member of the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board, a member of the International Boxing Research Organization, and a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America. He can be reached at roldboxing@hotmail.com
