The moment has arrived for Andy Ruiz Jr. to take on another ‘big baby.’ With ample practice in the past few weeks, he’s ready. Leah Maya Ruiz was welcomed into the world on July 2. Just a day later, her father was in the ring, sparring in preparation for his return fight against Jarrell Miller on Saturday night.
“It’s amusing; I chose her name right when we were about to finalize the birth certificate,” the heavyweight shares. His girlfriend Mayeli had her own name in mind for their first daughter, but Ruiz wasn’t fully on board.
“Initially, it was going to be Landy,” he discloses. “I thought… babe, she’s going to be upset with me! She might wonder: ‘Dad, were you trying to name me after yourself?’”
Fortunately, they had a list of other names, and Leah Maya ultimately won out. “I thought it was a gorgeous name,” Ruiz expresses. “It brings me so much joy… she weighed 9lbs, 5oz. A big baby, indeed.”
Perfect preparation for Miller, who is nicknamed ‘Big Baby’ but tipped the scales at 296lbs, significantly more than young Leah.
Former heavyweight champion Andy Ruiz Jr returns to the ring after nearly two years out
The 34-year-old heavyweight takes on Jarrell ‘Big Baby’ Miller in Los Angeles on Saturday night
For Ruiz, the past weeks have been about balancing fatherhood and boxing. “We returned home and celebrated the 4th of July together.” Then it was back to the boxing grind.
“I must stay focused even with my daughter around,” the heavyweight asserts. “This should only make me more driven and eager to win this fight.” He also sees potential opportunities just around the corner, even at the age of 34.
Incredibly, it has been five years since Miller’s last drug test failure—not the final one—which put Ruiz in the position to impress on Anthony Joshua’s American debut.
Instead, in seven thrilling rounds, Ruiz dominated AJ at Madison Square Garden, pulling off one of the greatest upsets in boxing history.
Suddenly, this ‘chubby kid’ with lightning-fast hands emerged as the unified heavyweight champion. Almost overnight, the Mexican-American found himself on the verge of significant fights and lucrative paydays.
Ruiz has his sights set on a trilogy with Joshua, who claimed revenge six months later but has faced his own tumultuous journey in recent years. Their paths crossed last year in Saudi Arabia, where Joshua defeated Otto Wallin.
Five years have passed since Ruiz beat Anthony Joshua in one of boxing’s biggest ever upsets
“He approached me and my girlfriend, saying: ‘Hey, I’m ready for you. I’m better. I’m back,’” Ruiz recalls, initially confused.
“What the heck,” he thought. “He’s still thinking of me; he wants to fight again. I’m sure he has found himself again. He’s got his motivation back—exactly what I need to do.”
This reflects the bizarre meritocracy in boxing that allows such fights and wealth to remain accessible. It doesn’t matter that Ruiz faced ridicule after quickly giving up his belts. This Saturday’s matchup with Miller marks his first fight in nearly two years—his third outing since losing to Joshua in December 2019.
“Everyone experiences ups and downs in life,” Ruiz notes. “I’ve had my share; I had to learn, and I encountered my lows. Since I began praying, I’ve grown closer to God, and He has supported me immensely.”
What revelations has he gained? “Sometimes, one must endure hardships to truly understand everything that’s happened.” And to discover their life’s purpose.
‘Unfortunately, I had my ups, I had to learn, and I had to go towards my downs,’ Ruiz says
“I appreciate all the highs and lows I’ve encountered because without those experiences, self-discovery is impossible. Things unfolded as they were meant to. It feels as if I’ve been reborn,” Ruiz observes, feeling 34 but rejuvenated.
We’ve traveled down this path before. Back in April 2021, nearly two years after that glorious night, Ruiz spoke candidly with Mail Sport about his downward spiral—from celebrations and parties to feelings of emptiness, regret, and days he wished for nothing more than to hide under his bed with a bowl of Cheerios.
“I closed myself off like a turtle,” he revealed. He battled depression, drank, smoked, and contemplated quitting. Then came a turning point. He found a new trainer and, more importantly, a renewed “mentality, spirit, everything.”
He eliminated Snickers, sweets, and pastries from his diet. He shed some weight and reduced his entourage. He triumphed over Chris Arreola in his long-anticipated comeback, realizing that true fulfillment is not found in grand homes or flashy cars but in connecting with God.
This time, peace emerged from loss. Surgery relieved him from shoulder pain, while a breakup alleviated mental distress.
Ruiz is eyeing a third fight with Joshua, who exacted revenge with victory in December 2019
“I feel as if all the negativity I once carried is flushed away,” Ruiz states. “I feel rejuvenated. Now, as I head into the match on August 3rd, I’m drama-free and focused.”
Earlier this year, reports emerged that Ruiz’s former partner secured a restraining order against him, alleging ‘sexual, physical, and psychological abuse’.
Ruiz faced accusations of threatening Julia Lemus and even aiming an AK-47 at her. He firmly denies these claims, offering a contrasting portrayal of their relationship.
“That relationship was detrimental to my mental health and my career.” Now? “It feels like a massive burden has been lifted off my shoulders.”
The heavyweight adds, “We all encounter mental breakdowns—especially with partners. I needed to separate to rediscover myself. God placed me here for a reason, and I’m determined to see it through.”
His ultimate ambition? To reclaim the titles. “To prove—both to my fans and myself—that I’m capable of becoming a two-time heavyweight champion of the world,” he declares.
“To show everyone that this chubby kid can achieve remarkable things—with God’s guidance, he can overcome any giants… I’m back on track, like I was meant to be. I had to be humbled to learn and to emerge stronger.”
‘It’s like I was born again,’ the former champion said ahead of this weekend’s return to the ring
Ruiz aims for a title shot in 2025, but first, he must surpass Miller. They are friends, and he expresses gratitude towards Big Baby. Those doping scandals transformed their careers and reshaped the heavyweight boxing scene.
Now, they face off in Los Angeles, alongside a card featuring the pound-for-pound legend Terence Crawford. Ruiz and Miller found themselves propelled in opposite directions during those tumultuous weeks in 2019. Their paths were not supposed to intersect. But in boxing, this is Ruiz’s journey in 2024.
“I know I could have chosen an easier opponent for my comeback fight, but he feels just right,” Ruiz reflects.
“It’s like a fresh start. I just need to climb the ladder again. I must stay driven, ready, and equipped for the challenge.”
‘If I triumph on August 3rd, there’s no way I’d wait around for two years for my next fight. I don’t want to experience that again. Having cleared away all the negativity, I’m primed to hit it hard.”
