CHAPTERS
- 0:02 – 0:24
Ruiz reflects on becoming heavyweight champion overnight
Joe and Andy open with the surreal reality of Ruiz becoming heavyweight champion of the world. Ruiz describes the win as a blessing and admits it took weeks to feel real.
- •Ruiz’s emotional reaction to winning the heavyweight title
- •How long it took for the moment to sink in
- •The sudden life shift from contender to champion
- 0:24 – 1:31
Short-notice title shot: how the Joshua fight came together
Ruiz explains he got the call with roughly six weeks’ notice and proactively reached out to promoter Eddie Hearn for the opportunity. Because he’d recently fought, he was already in fight shape and quickly rolled into camp.
- •Timeline: finding out about the fight about a month and two weeks out
- •Messaging Eddie Hearn and getting the chance
- •Minimal time off after the previous bout (Dymytrenko)
- •Why being in ‘fight mode’ helped him capitalize
- 1:31 – 2:08
The turning point: getting dropped, staying calm, and firing back
Joe breaks down the dramatic sequence where Ruiz was dropped, regained composure, and then hurt Joshua badly in return. Ruiz shares it was his first time being dropped and emphasizes his ability to reset and throw heavy combinations.
- •Ruiz’s first knockdown experience and how he handled it
- •Joshua trying to finish and Ruiz’s immediate counterattack
- •Composure under pressure as a defining factor
- •Momentum swing that shocked viewers
- 2:08 – 3:18
Why Ruiz’s style works at heavyweight: fluid combinations and angles
They dig into Ruiz’s efficiency—fast, multi-punch combinations rather than single power shots. Ruiz credits trainer Manny Robles and a focus on speed and combination work as a key competitive edge against bigger heavyweights.
- •Efficiency vs. energy-wasting power punching
- •Combination punching as a rare heavyweight weapon
- •Working with Manny Robles on speed and volume
- •Fighting bigger opponents vs. shorter opponents
- 3:18 – 4:40
First Mexican heavyweight champion: community pride and family pressure
Ruiz and Joe discuss the historic significance of him being the first Mexican heavyweight champion. Ruiz describes overwhelming fan attention, and he opens up about financial struggles and promotional roadblocks before the breakthrough.
- •Historic milestone and comparisons to Cain Velasquez’s UFC moment
- •Massive fan attention in public settings
- •Press-conference emotion: telling his mom ‘we made it’
- •Top Rank/Bob Arum frustrations and limited fights before the title shot
- 4:40 – 6:54
Underdog perception, body type talk, and the ‘live dog’ reputation
Joe explains why insiders saw Ruiz as a high-risk opponent even before he was famous, while casual fans underestimated him based on appearance. They riff on how Ruiz’s physique makes him relatable and discuss the idea of getting leaner without losing what works.
- •Risk-reward problem: skilled opponent without big-name payoff
- •Public underestimation vs. boxing insiders’ respect
- •Relatability of Ruiz’s build and confidence for everyday fans
- •Balancing fitness changes with maintaining performance
- 6:54 – 10:06
What’s next: rematch negotiations, venues, and heavyweight boxing’s hot era
Conversation shifts to future plans: a Joshua rematch later in the year, venue speculation, and the broader landscape with Wilder and Fury. Joe frames the current era as unusually stacked with top heavyweights and major fights across boxing.
- •Rematch confirmation and ongoing negotiations
- •Venue talk (MSG, Staples, Vegas) and DAZN distribution
- •Ruiz’s interest in Wilder/Fury matchups after the rematch
- •Joe’s take: a rare era with multiple ‘real’ heavyweight champions
- 10:06 – 13:49
Camp changes as champion: closed Mexico camp, nutrition, and ‘old school’ prep
Ruiz outlines how he wants a more secluded training camp in Mexico to stay focused and avoid distractions. They discuss his approach to strength/conditioning, nutrition, supplements, and how heavyweight life differs from weight-cutting divisions.
- •Plan for a private/closed camp in Mexico
- •Adding support team: nutritionist, chef, coaches
- •Old-school training mindset vs. data tracking (HRV, logs)
- •Typical camp diet details (vegetables, rice, protein) and supplements basics
- 13:49 – 20:12
Early boxing life: starting at six, amateur fights, and building muscle memory
Ruiz recounts starting boxing as a kid after trying karate, fighting older/bigger opponents, and even feeling robbed in his first bout. Joe connects Ruiz’s early start to the fluidity and efficiency he shows as a pro.
- •Started training at six; first amateur fight at seven
- •Often matched with older/bigger kids due to weight
- •Early setbacks (first-fight ‘robbery’) and learning curve
- •Muscle memory and mitt work as foundations for style
- 20:12 – 28:43
Fame and money: jewelry, cars, Mexico trip, and staying grounded
They talk about Ruiz’s newfound celebrity, purchases, and opportunities like commercials—plus meeting Mexico’s president. Ruiz frames it as providing for family, while Joe asks how he avoids the pitfalls of fame that derailed others.
- •Adjusting to attention, memes, and public recognition
- •Spending: jewelry and luxury cars (Rolls-Royce, G-Wagon)
- •Commercial work and visiting Mexico as a national sports figure
- •Staying humble: family focus and keeping the right people around
- 28:43 – 37:49
Belts, legacy goals, and concerns about PEDs and testing
Ruiz details which belts he holds and why he wants the WBC to become undisputed, then the conversation turns to performance-enhancing drugs. They discuss WADA-style testing, why stricter testing matters for safety, and speculation around physiques and fairness.
- •Current titles (WBA, WBO, IBO, IBF) and chasing WBC for undisputed status
- •How dangerous the sport becomes when PEDs are involved
- •Ruiz’s experience with strict WADA testing procedures
- •Debate about fighting locations and the perception of ‘enhanced’ physiques
- 37:49 – 51:40
Influences, trainers, the Parker loss, and building the right team
Ruiz lists boxing heroes (Chavez, Tyson, Morales, Barrera) and explains how his style is both influenced and uniquely his own. He then describes his trainer journey—Freddie Roach, time with Abel Sanchez, the Parker title loss circumstances, and why Manny Robles is the best fit now.
- •Role models: Chavez, Tyson, and Mexican boxing legends
- •Trainer path: Freddie Roach to Abel Sanchez to Manny Robles
- •Parker fight: self-training/under-guidance issues and lack of focus
- •Lessons from a loss and the importance of a dedicated camp structure
- 51:40 – 58:07
Altitude camp strategy, career risks, retirement plans, and future promotions
They close with altitude-training philosophy, Ruiz’s awareness of boxing’s dangers, and long-term thinking about retirement and life after fighting. Ruiz discusses real estate/contracting interests and ambitions to launch a promotion company to help Mexican fighters.
- •Training at altitude: benefits, limits, and camp planning in Mexico
- •Acknowledging boxing fatalities and praying for opponents’ safety
- •Retirement target (35) and potential work in housing development
- •Post-career vision: ARJ Promotions and giving fighters opportunities
