Andy Ruiz Jr. returns to the ring against Chris Arreola in historic Mexican-American bout

As the boxing world slowly begins to get back on track, this Saturday’s fights represent a burst of momentum leading into the busiest month in boxing we’ve had in over a year.

The weekend’s main card features heavyweight Andy Ruiz Jr. making his long-awaited return to the ring for the first time since losing his rematch against Anthony Joshua in late 2019

Ruiz takes on veteran Chris Arreola in a fight of boxers with Mexican blood looking for a notable win to help them move up the heavyweight rankings. That bill, in Carson, California, also features two world championship fights.

Mexican-American heavyweight boxers Ruiz and Arreola make history

Despite prolific success in other divisions, boxers of Mexican descent had never, until recently, reached the pinnacle of the sport at heavyweight. Ruiz finally achieved that milestone and became champion in June 2019, when he handed Joshua the first loss of his professional career.

“I’m Andres and I’m very proud to be Mexican,” Ruiz said at Tuesday’s WBC virtual meeting alongside Arreola. “I represented Mexico in the Mexican Olympic Committee, and from a very young age I always wanted to be the first [heavyweight] champion. Nothing is easy in life, but everything is possible.

“I’m proud of what I did. Without the Mexican blood, I don’t think I would have been here. We’re going to win and then we’re going to get the titles back and take them to Mexico.”

“My name is Cristobal, but only gringos call me Chris,” said Arreola. “I’m well prepared for a big fight, with the pride of being Mexican. If I get knocked down, I show my heart of being Mexican. I come from nothing, immigrant father, I was taught that money comes from working hard, and I don’t want to disappoint my father, I want to show that I still have something to give them.”

Arreola had three chances to achieve that same milestone, but came up short in each of his world title opportunities, all for the WBC belt, against Vitali Klitschko, Bermane Stiverne and Deontay Wilder. But instead of harboring ill will, Arreola is happy for Ruiz and hopes to use that moment as inspiration for himself.

It’s notable that two Mexican-American heavyweights will also face off in a PPV main event fight. In the lead-up to the fight, both promised not to disappoint fans when they face each other in the ring on Saturday.

Ruiz and Arreola also agreed that they will create fireworks. Ruiz is grabbing most of the headlines heading into this fight, thanks in large part to his decision to join Canelo Alvarez’s team a few months ago. After coming up short in his rematch with Joshua, Ruiz’s dedication was publicly questioned, but all signs point to Ruiz benefiting greatly from the work he’s done with trainer Eddy Reynoso thus far, and the trust of Canelo Alvarez and his team.

“When I lost [to Joshua] I felt bad, I didn’t want to fight, but something in my heart told me I had to get up,” Ruiz said. “I asked Canelo if they could open the doors for me and he said ‘Andy, I know you have the skills, come here, but I want you to give me 110 percent.’ I thank God that Eddy and Canelo opened the doors for me. We are working hard, in and out of the ring,” said Ruiz.

For Arreola, this fight represents his last big chance to go again for one last world title shot.

“I always fight with the mentality of being world champion. I’m not just here to collect a paycheck,” Arreola said. “It’s about my legacy. I worry about my legacy. I worry about what people will say when they talk about Chris Arreola.

“Yeah, I was that guy, and I was also that guy that, whether I’m fat or skinny, whatever you want to call it, I come to fight. I came to give everybody a great show. I came up short many times, in three heavyweight title fights against Vitali Klitschko, [Deontay] Wilder, [Bermane] Stiverne. I gave it my all, and in every one of those fights I went out to win. It didn’t go the way I wanted it to, but believe me, I gave it my all and I came out with respect for myself.”

As for his thoughts on Ruiz and this fight, Arreola admitted that it won’t be easy on Saturday, but said he has worked very hard in the gym to shock the world.

“You have to be smart and Andy is very dangerous, he has dynamite and the speed of a lightweight, you have to be prepared for everything he has,” Arreola said. “We did the work in the gym, but the hardest part will be on Saturday, because I know Andy is well prepared.” – Salvador Rodriguez