Ruiz Jr Returns Against Knyba In NewarkRuiz Jr Returns Against Knyba In Newark
Andy Ruiz Jr. portrait
Photo: JazzyJoeyD / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Advertisement
BOXINGBoxing News

Ruiz Jr Returns Against Knyba In Newark

Aaron Clarke
Lightweight & Featherweight Writer ·

This author receives a commission through recommended links in this content. See our affiliate disclosure.

Former heavyweight champion Andy Ruiz Jr squares off against Damian Knyba tonight at the Prudential Center in Newark, as the Mexican-American looks to rebuild his career after years of struggles following his upset loss to Anthony Joshua.

The bout headlines a four-fight card streaming on DAZN and airing on TNT, with coverage beginning at 8 p.m. ET, according to Bad Left Hook. Ruiz Jr, who stunned Joshua in 2019 to claim three heavyweight belts before losing the immediate rematch, has fought sporadically since and needs a convincing performance against the relatively unknown Knyba to remain relevant in the division.

🎟️ Get tickets: Buy tickets to Ruiz vs. Knyba on Ticketmaster →

Mielnicki Jr Faces Williams In Chief Support

Going to the fight?
Ruiz vs. Knyba
Prudential Center · Newark · 5 Sept 2026
Get Tickets

The co-main event features middleweights Vito Mielnicki Jr and Austin Williams in what Bad Left Hook described as "really a must-win fight for both middleweights." Both fighters carry significant expectations but have yet to break through at the elite level, making this a crossroads matchup with major implications for their futures.

The undercard also includes lightweight contenders Alan Chaves and Eridson Garcia in a 10-round bout, plus featherweight/" class="internal-link text-bone underline decoration-ash/30 hover:decoration-gold underline-offset-2">super featherweight Zaquin Moses, a 21-year-old Newark native and cousin of Shakur Stevenson, taking on journeyman Angel Antonio Contreras over eight rounds. Moses enters 7-0 with three knockouts and fights on home turf with local backing.

🎟️ Get tickets: Buy tickets to Ruiz vs. Knyba on Ticketmaster →

For Ruiz Jr, the path back to title contention requires more than just a win — he must show the form that made him a shocking champion five years ago. The 12-round main event airs exclusively on DAZN and TNT with first bell expected around 11 p.m. ET.


Reported via:

  • Bad Left Hook — Andy Ruiz Jr vs Damian Knyba: Live blog, round-by-round and results
Advertisement
Advertisement

Get Ringside Updates

Fight announcements, results, and analysis delivered to your inbox. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

Send me:

Join the discussion

Loading the discussion…