Tyson Fury knows all about the trappings of success.
Soon after shocking Wladimir Klitschko for the heavyweight titles in 2015, the British boxer’s life took a disastrous turn as he started abusing alcohol, cocaine and ballooned to 400 pounds as he battled depression.
Much like Fury, Andy Ruiz pulled off a similar shocker of Anthony Joshua in June, stunning Joshua for a TKO win.
Ruiz went on to party and parade his way through the limelight and neglected the training and discipline needed to maintain his throne. Six months after dropping Joshua, Ruiz gained 15 pounds and weighed 283.7 pounds, the most since he had in his second pro fight, and lost a unanimous decision to Joshua in a lethargic performance in Saudi Arabia.
Afterward, Ruiz admitted that partying and overeating led to his demise in the ring.
On Wednesday, Ruiz parted ways with his head trainer, Manny Robles.
Fury said he wants to help Ruiz bounce back.
“I want to advise Andy Ruiz to come to Las Vegas and to train with me,” said Fury. “I’ll get him his titles back, don’t worry about that. I’ve been there, done it and seen it all before. I’ve been in the same position. You win some, you lose some. You go out and party. The main focus is that you finally realize that boxing is the most important thing to you in your life. Boxing has gotten you in the position that you’re in. Boxing gives you all of those nice treasures and pleasures. So honor it, respect it and make love to it.”
Fury (29-0-1, 20 KOs) has a big fight ahead of him next against Deontay Wilder (42-0-1, 41 KOs) on Feb. 22 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on Fox and ESPN pay ver view.
Ruiz is fielding offers from Matchroom Boxing head Eddie Hearn on a potential April fight against Dillian Whyte.
Manouk Akopyan is a sports journalist and member of the Boxing Writers Assn. of America since 2011. He has written for the likes of the LA Times, Guardian, USA Today, Philadelphia Inquirer, Men’s Health and NFL.com and currently does TV commentary for combat sports programming that airs on Fox Sports and hosts his own radio show in Los Angeles. He can be reached on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube at @ManoukAkopyan or via email at manouk.akopyan@gmail.com.