Despite how you feel about Big Baby Miller, everyone knows that he did enough to beat Andy Ruiz, and the judges ultimately gave Ruiz a gift draw. That fight was two years ago, and a 2 year layoff is a long time for any fighter. Ring rust, inactivity, and aging can all play a major factor. Then look at Knyba’s fight with Kabayel. Knyba was landing clean, flush shots before the referee stepped in with what most thought was a very premature stoppage. There wasn’t even a knockdown. Once again, a case of where the A side was being protected. Knyba also has a CRAZY 12-inch reach advantage over Ruiz, roughly two inches more than Anthony Joshua. On top of that, Knyba is younger, fresher, and, in my opinion, physically stronger than both Miller and Ruiz. The biggest question isn’t whether Knyba has the tools to beat Andy. It’s whether he’ll get a fair shake because we all know how boxing works when it comes to protecting the A side. Knyba will be fighting Andy, the referee, AND the judges. But if this is judged fairly and Knyba gets the opportunity to fight his fight, I think he gets the job done in my opinion.
Ruiz has more experience and is a pretty tough operator. I'd expect him to unload a few combos unless he's absolutely shot. Given his inactivity I can absolutely see him lose too. I haven't really seen enough of Knyba outside of the Kabayel rematch, but I figure there's a path to victory for him somewhere. All that said, I still favour Ruiz to get the job done by grit.
Ruiz is way more experienced and I've been seeing the more experienced heavyweights beat the prospects lately so Ruiz should edge it but he's about 37 so Knyba will win due to the stylistically advantage
Very fair. I think Knyba being a +300 dog is worth a shot but again, its boxing politics at the end of the day.
I feel the same way. This will just be Ruiz’s 4th fight in the past 6 years this decade, fighting about once every 2 years. I’m picking Knyba
I’d go as far as to call him the favourite, Ruiz has fought like 3 times since 2019 and he’s 37 on top of that. Knyba’s got good mobility and uses his range well, even in his prime Andy had slow feet to accompany his quick hands. And who knows how quick those hands still are today and how good of a gas tank he has. He will have a bad time trying to close distance that’s for sure
Ruiz is old, fat and terribly undisciplined when it comes to getting motivated and preparing properly. But Ruiz at his best was a decent fringe contender. Knyba isn't even international level at all.
Not sure how much Ruiz has left at 37, but this will most likely be his last roll of the dice, and I think he'll give it his best shot. Can see the more active Knyba having some early success against a rusty Ruiz but I expect Ruiz to grind out a decision or a late TKO.
