Andy Ruiz Jr. vs. Chris Arreola: fight prediction, odds, card, expert options, start time, live stream

Andy Ruiz Jr. if the boxing career is already the perfect candidate for a day in a Hollywood script thanks to the recent knockout of heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua as a last-minute opponent, the two years immediately followed have only added depth to the overall story.

Ruiz, a Mexican-American slugger known for his strong belly and quick deceptive hands, seems to have liked his success too much in 2019, when he weighed almost too much for his victory with Joshua seven months later. He lost because of a wide decision.

With seventeen months removed from that humble rematch in Saudi Arabia, 31-year-old Ruiz has been in a long-term release, including depression caused by humiliating falls, and now enters Saturday with a new set of hopes. Some key changes made by the California Imperial in its body and team.

Recent photos and training videos have shown that Ruiz (33-2, 22 KOs) wants to be at the best of his career for a few days in front of his four-time paid Chris Arreola from Fox PBC. (38-6-1, 33 KO) Dignity Health Sports Park, Carson, California.

Add that Ruiz has enlisted the help of coach and defensive red wizard Eddy Reynoso – the architect behind the pound king Canelo Alvarez – for this camp and suddenly critics are wondering if a victory could catapult Ruiz to victory. in the case of legitimate title.

“I’m motivated right now. I killed the old Andy and the new Andy was born,” Ruiz said at a recent press conference on Wednesday. “I have a lot to prove. I left a lot of people behind, and that’s why I had to make big changes to myself. I know what I’m capable of and I know what I can achieve. I’m inside myself to be a two-time heavyweight Mexican world champion.”

Ruiz of 6 meters, who weighed 284 kilos for the rematch with Josu, admitted that he had reached 310 kilos before the start of this training session. The discipline that Reynoso demanded at the San Diego camp proved to be a key factor for Ruiz, as well as the opportunity to train with Alvarez, who is currently preparing to reconcile his middleweight title against Billy Joe Saunders on May 8th.

“The lack of discipline I had before training with Eddy Reynoso has been the biggest difference for this fight,” Ruiz said. “You can’t play boxing. You always have to be ready. That’s one of the main things I’ve focused on, in addition to improving every move I make in the ring.

“I think I have the fastest heavyweight hands. I’m not where I want to be right now, but I’m much better than where I was. I have a lot to prove from Saturday night.”

“It’s motivating to see Chris right now. I haven’t seen him in a long time. Now we finally have a chance to give fans what they want to see on Saturday night. It’s going to be a privilege.

“Everyone has a plan until they hit us in the face. We both have to do our business there. We pray for him to be victorious and for us both to come out healthy. A better man will win on Saturday night.”

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Ruiz comes in as a laugh-out-loud bet against 40-year-old Arreola, who has not fought since 2019 and was preceded by Vitali Klitschko (2009), Bermane Stiverne (2014) and Deontay Wilder (who have stopped fighting for world titles). 2016).

If Ruiz were to return with the rigor and edge that his new frameworks suggest, he would have to continue with Arreola, who has been hanging on to his name in recent years. Looking at both styles, an action fight is also expected for Ruiz, who is aligned with Al Haymon’s Boxing Grand Champion, who could see him face a future confrontation with Wilder, especially considering current champions Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua. appear towards unification.

Ruiz returned to Arreola while he was studying in high school and he was amazed at the heavy weight of the time with his speed and strength, despite the thick frame. Ruiz doesn’t expect the second time he touches the gloves to go any other way.

“My natural speed and counter-attack will overwhelm Arreola in the ring. I’m not the same fighter who fought when I was 16.” Ruiz said. “Chris is a strong man. He moves forward, takes punches and gives punches. The combinations I’ve been working on in my speed and gym are going to throw me a bit.

“It’s going to be a fight of all actions. We’ve both come to win. I want the heavyweight title even more now. It’s because of the way I lost it. I imagine if I had been this season I would have won. Revenge with Joshua. Things happen for a reason and I’m happy with the way I think now. . “

Fight card, probability

• Andy Ruiz -2200 vs. Chris Arreola +1100, heavyweight
• Abel Ramos -160 vs. Omar Figueroa +135, welterweights
• Sebastian Fundora -1200 vs. Jorge Cota +750, super welterweight
• Jesus Ramos Jr. -1000 vs. Javier Molina +650, welterweights

View information

• Day: May 1 | Start time: 21:00 ET
• Location: Dignity Health Sports Park – Carson, California
• TV: FOX PPV ($ 49.99 – check local listings) Stream: FOX PPV online

Forecast

Arreola has always given a good punch, but his willingness to fight won’t help him against someone as accurate and quick as Ruiz at this stage of his career.

Despite the undoubted hope for war, there are plenty of reasons to believe that it will be a one-sided affair and may not last that long given the miles of Arreola. Even though Arreola showed absolute determination in the undefeated Adam Kownacki in the last 12 playoffs in the last round, he is much slower than Kownacki Ruiz and lost the knockout round in the next fight.

It’s time for Ruiz to shine and PBC gives him every opportunity to do so in hopes of getting a much bigger fight.

Choose: Ruiz via TKO5