April 30, 2021

Anthony Saldana (149 articles)

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Andy Ruiz looks for Redemption as he takes on Chris Arreola

By Anthony “Stacks” Saldaña 

Saturday night the former unified and first ever Mexican Heavyweight Champion, Andy “The Destroyer” Ruiz (33-2, 22 KOs) looks to catapult himself back into title contention with a victory over another Mexican heavyweight and Southern California fan favorite, Chris “The Nightmare” Arreola (38-6-1, 33 KOs). This showdown between two of the most accomplished Mexican heavyweights in boxing history will without a doubt inch the victor one step closer to a heavyweight title. The Ruiz Arreola fight will be the main event of a stacked Fox Sports PPV card live from the Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California.

Ruiz who shocked the world with his knockout victory over the unified Heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua in June of 2019 looks to rebound from his rematch loss to Joshua and get back into title contention with a victory this Saturday night. For Ruiz this fight is not only about silencing his naysayers but  proving to himself and his team he still has what it takes to once again become a Heavyweight World Champion. “I was at 310 pounds when I started this camp. We started losing weight slowly but surely. People are wondering if I’m still going to have the same power after losing weight, but I’ve been working hard for this moment and the power is definitely staying with me.” Stated Ruiz. “Right now I’m motivated. I killed the old Andy and a new Andy was born. I have a lot to prove. I let a lot of people down, and that’s why I had to make big changes to myself. I know what I’m capable of doing and I know what I can accomplish. I have it inside of me to become the Mexican two-time heavyweight champion of the world. I know Chris is a strong man. He comes forward, he takes punches and he gives punches. My speed and the combinations that I’ve been working on in the gym are going to throw him off a little bit.” 

For the 40 year old Arreola a loss in this fight with Ruiz could mean the end of a stellar career. One in which he had wars with the likes Deontay Wilder and Vitali Klitschko to name a few. The veteran Arreola last entered the ring in August of 2019 and suffered a loss to Adam Kownacki and knows he needs to make the most of this opportunity. “This fight isn’t personal in the fact that I dislike Andy. I have a lot of respect for Andy, and that’s why I trained extra hard. This is going to be one of those battles of attrition. This is a fight that I need to win for my legacy.” Stated Arreola in a recent presser. “Saturday’s coming and I can’t wait. I put the hard work in at the gym and Saturday is time to showcase it. We’re going to leave our friendship aside once we step into the ring. That friendship is out the door until that last bell rings.” 

When Tom Brown the President of TGB Promotions was asked about this matchup he stated “Andy Ruiz Jr vs. Chris Arreola is guaranteed to be another great battle between two Mexican-American warriors from Southern California. Throughout their history, the minute they stepped into the ring, these fighters have electrified boxing fans. This fight will be a slugfest. Both fighters have fan friendly, all-action styles and it’s safe to say that both Ruiz and Arreola have never walked into the ring just to win—they want the knock-out. So It’s going to be bombs away on May 1. We’re really excited about this pay-per-view card with four all-action toss up fights.”

To open the action Saturday night top prospect Jesus Ramos (15-0, 14 KOs) will take on local fan favorite  Javier Molina (22-3, 9 KOs) in a matchup that’s puts a veteran olympian against a top bluechip prospect.“I’m excited to be fighting a good young fighter Saturday. I’ve been training hard for two months getting ready for it. I can’t wait to put on a show in front of my people so close to my hometown. Stated Molina “Ramos is a good undefeated fighter. A win over him will get me to the next level and that’s what we’re looking to do on Saturday. When asked about his matchup with Molina, Ramos stated“This is going to be a tough fight. He’s got a lot of experience. I expect nothing less from him than a great fight, but I’m prepared. I’m ready for the best Javier Molina. I feel like I’m ready for this big step up. To get to the next level, I have to beat guys like Javier Molina. I’m prepared for this level of competition.”

Also on the card rising star Sebastian “The Towering Inferno” Fundora (16-0, 11KOs) goes up against world title contender in Jorge Cota (30-4, 27 KOs) “We’ve had two great camps for Cota, so we’re prepared for anything he’s going to bring. I would tell Cota to bring his best, because to win.“We trained to get the knockout. My dad always tells me not to leave it to the judges and that’s what we’re going to do Saturday.

Plus, in the co-main event the tough Texan, Omar Figueroa (28-1, 19 KOs) will battle Abel Ramos (26-4-2, 20 KOs) in a battle that many believe has the potential to be a Mexican-style Gatti vs. Ward type of fight. When asked about his potential war with Ramos, Figueroa stated “I’m going in there to end fights as soon as possible. With that mentality, I’m going to make sure he’s not making it to the sixth round. I’m going to show that same aggression like I always do on Saturday, but more refined. I’m going to be a much more efficient fighter.” While the rugged Ramos is set on giving the fans a fight to remember “This is the type of exciting fight the fans are going to enjoy. When I was kid, I always wanted to watch these kind of close combat matchups. That’s what we’re going to have on Saturday. Whoever wants it more is going to win this fight.”

In addition to the stacked PPV card fans can catch a great lead up fight as Cuban star and WBA Super Welterweight Champion Erislandy “The American Dream” Lara (27-3-3, 15 KOs) will seek a third world title in a second weight class when he faces veteran contender Thomas “Cornflake” LaManna (30-4-1, 12 KOs) for the WBA Middleweight Title in the main event of FOX PBC Fight Night and on FOX Deportes.

The FOX Sports PBC Pay-Per-View is priced at $49.99. Buy now on foxsports.com/ppv and watch on any screen!

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