Andy Ruiz to make long-awaited comeback against Anthony Joshua’s fierce rival after two-year hiatus

Andy Ruiz will face Jarrell ‘Big Baby’ Miller in his long-awaited comeback fight, according to reports.

The former unified heavyweight world champion has not fought since beating Luis Ortiz by unanimous decision in September 2022.

According to ESPN, he will return to the ring on August 3 against Miller in an event organized by the new heads of Saudi boxing.

The hit show would take place in Los Angeles with Terence Crawford and Israil Madrimov headlining.

Isaac Cruz is also expected to feature on the same project as he prepares to defend his WBA world welterweight title for the first time against Jose Valenzuela.

On Monday, Ruiz hinted he would return to action this summer by responding to a social media post regarding his announced fight date with a pair of eyes emoji.

He also reposted a fan’s tweet, which read: “About time man, they forgot about The Destroyer.”

Ruiz was thrust into the spotlight after recording a monumental victory over Anthony Joshua in 2019.

“The Destroyer” stopped AJ in the seventh round to win the WBA, IBF and WBO world titles, but lost all three belts six months later when he was comfortably outpointed by Joshua in their rematch.

Ruiz stepped in to fight Joshua on short notice after his original opponent, Miller, failed a pre-fight drug test.

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Miler was ruled out of a ban at the time, but received one when he tested positive again ahead of his proposed 2020 fight with Jerry Forrest.

He has since been cleared to resume his career and is now set to face Ruiz after losing his last outing to Daniel Dubois on the “Day of Reckoning” undercard last December.

Joshua headlined that bill against Otto Wallin and got into a heated altercation with Miller in a Saudi hotel when they came face to face for the first time since their fight was canceled five years ago.

“I’ve smelled piss on you since day one, bro,” Miller told Joshua.

“I know what I’m going to do, I know who I’m going to fight,” AJ replied.

Miller then accused his fierce rival of fighting, but Joshua was having none of it.

“You don’t know me, brother,” he replied. “Look at my file, who did I dodge?

“You and I are not on the same level and where you are in your career, you offer me nothing.

“I don’t need to fight you, where I’m going is bigger and better than you. You’re on my undercard, I’m hosting you, welcome to my show.”

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