Andy Ruiz Jr. faces Damian Knyba in Newark this Friday
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 3, 2026, 1:00 PM
Last updated Sep 3, 2026
Former heavyweight champion Andy Ruiz Jr. returns to the ring this Friday at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. The 36-year-old fighter faces 6-foot-7 Polish heavyweight Damian Knyba in a bout broadcast on DAZN and TNT Sports. Ruiz, who currently holds a record of 35-2-1 with 22 knockouts, seeks to regain career relevance following inconsistent performances and long layoffs since his 2019 title loss to Anthony Joshua. His opponent, Knyba, enters the matchup at 17-1 after sustaining a third-round stoppage loss to WBC heavyweight champion Agit Kabayel earlier this year. Ruiz has reunited with former trainer Manny Robles and signed a promotional deal with Matchroom's Eddie Hearn in preparation for this comeback attempt.
- •Andy Ruiz Jr. fights Damian Knyba at the Prudential Center on Friday.
- •The bout will be available to watch on DAZN and TNT Sports.
- •Ruiz is 35-2-1 while Knyba carries a 17-1 record into the ring.
- •This represents only the fourth fight for Ruiz since December 2019.
- •Ruiz has recently reunited with trainer Manny Robles and promoter Eddie Hearn.
- 1:00 PMYahoo Sports — Is this Andy Ruiz's last boxing life?
"Ruiz has been a shadow of his former self since upsetting Anthony Joshua seven years ago. Friday night may be his final chance to begin getting back what he lost.
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