Damian Knyba Destroys Eddie Hearn’s Andy Ruiz Plans

Ruiz had a little success attacking the body in the sixth, but the fight nearly ended one round later. Knyba hurt him with a right hook, poured on punches, and dropped him hard near the bell. Ruiz rose with his legs gone and was fortunate that the referee allowed the fight to continue.

The official gave Ruiz a long look and considerable time before restarting the action. Without that delay, Knyba likely would have finished him. The bell then provided another escape before Ruiz had to survive any meaningful follow-up attack.

Hearn’s Ruiz Plans Collapse

Ruiz showed some urgency in the eighth and ninth while Knyba recovered from his attempt to secure the knockout. That brief rally did not make the contest close. Knyba returned to his jab during the later rounds and resumed landing the cleaner punches from distance.

The result leaves Eddie Hearn in a difficult position after recently signing Ruiz to Matchroom. Hearn had discussed moving him quickly toward an IBF title fight with Filip Hrgovic or matching him against Moses Itauma. He can forget about either option after this performance.

Hrgovic is larger, stronger, busier, and far more dangerous than Knyba. Itauma possesses the speed and power to punish the slow feet and defensive openings Ruiz displayed in Newark. Sending Ruiz into either fight next would look less like title planning and more like cashing him out.

Knyba deserves credit for refusing to serve as the opponent in somebody else’s comeback story. Ruiz, however, looked fortunate to hear the final bell. The former unified champion did not resemble a heavyweight one fight away from another title opportunity.