Andy Ruiz vs Damian Knyba: How Will This Heavyweight Clash Play Out Friday Night?

What are the storylines for Andy Ruiz and Damian Knyba (17-1, 11 KOs) when they meet in a heavyweight crossroads bout? The two will meet Friday as part of DAZN and TNT Sports “The Fight,” which will take place at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.

Ruiz (35-2-1, 22 KOs), a former heavyweight beltholder who famously knocked out Anthony Joshua in 2019, has not repeated that feat since. Ruiz has fought three times in this decade, with Friday’s bout being his fourth. Knyba is best known for how he looks, as he is a 6-foot-7-inch heavyweight with an 86” reach. Knyba is also coming off his lone loss to Agit Kabayel, whom I regard as the best heavyweight in the world.

So let’s set the stage for this fight

Talent, Potential, And Where We Are At

When my guy Dakota compared Ruiz to Zab Judah, I thought it was astute. Both have tons of natural ability, and their primes were ambiguous because they had the potential to do things others couldn’t.

Ruiz should be motivated, as at 36 he has only a limited amount of time left. He has hand speed, which heavyweights lack, and the ability to slip punches that heavyweights don’t see. He turns defense into offense and offense into defense, and he does it violently. Yet work rate has been his enemy.

The tough thing about Ruiz is simple: he should be better than Knyba. What he does is more impressive, but he has been inactive. Where has his mind been when he isn’t fighting? Talent can only take you so far. Ruiz now has to demonstrate that he is not in a comeback bout that is a traditional, obvious A-side, B-side fight. He is in with a guy who could beat you up if you are not careful.

So, what does Ruiz have left? That is the biggest story of the fight and maybe of fight week?

Damian Knyba Is Fighting At Home

Knyba is a big seller in the New Jersey area. He has fought at this venue multiple times and should get support all week. His loss to Kabayel was not too bad; he landed some punches, but the will of Kabayel derailed him.

The big question for Knyba is: How does he handle his punches being countered by a fighter who gets low and slips his shots? Or conversely, can Ruiz sustain that for a 12-round fight?

Knyba’s size is most of what he brings to the table. He is big. By default, he hits hard and stays composed on the outside. Kabayel beat him by accepting that he was going to get hit in the fight. This will show where Knyba is, as he is truly unknown at the world-class level. He made a dramatic leap in competition, not unlike what Amelia Moore did, and we will see how he does against a contender.

Who Does This Set The Stage For?

With Moses Itauma, Richard Torrez Jr., and Jared Anderson losing, the heavyweight division is looking for some name recognition. A sensational win by either fighter, given both are based in the U.S., could shake up the division.

I can’t remember a time when people were more indifferent about the group of heavyweight contenders. I partially blame the love affair with famous names in the current landscape of boxing for that. Still, the winner is going to be talked about as much as Kabayel or Frank Sanchez, two of the top guys. So in a division where the stars have slowly but surely simmered for the moment, this is a moment for someone to land a huge payday with a win.

The Fight Dipping Its Toes Into Heavyweight

“The Fight” going into the heavyweight division is an interesting choice. Heavyweight bouts typically get dull if there isn’t a knockout, and with two exciting lightweight bouts to start the series, I am curious how this plays out.

Currently, these cards on TNT Sports are among the best we get monthly and are the ones I anticipate most. So far, we have had two fight cards, albeit with very slow pacing. This is a fight that could go viral or get tedious.

Lucas Ketelle

Lucas Ketelle is a boxing writer and podcaster who has appeared on various platforms throughout his career.

See author's posts