Former IBF/WBO/WBA heavyweight world champion Andy “The Destroyer” Ruiz Jr. previewedhis comeback fight against Chris “The Nightmare” Arreola previewed their heavyweight showdown during a virtual press conference Tuesday before they battle in a FOX Sports PBC Pay-Per-View main event Saturday, May 1 from Dignity Health Sport during a virtual press conference. Ruiz and Arreola will battle in a pay-per-view main event Saturday, May 1st from Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California. Ruiz was joined by his trainer Eddy Reynoso. Here is what the they had to say Tuesday:
ANDY RUIZ JR.
“I’m really motivated for May 1st. We’re both training hard and working every day for this one. My mentality is where it needs to be and I’m ready to put on a great performance.
“Eddy sees the potential that I have and he told me that I needed to be disciplined if I was going to work with him. I don’t think I’ve ever been truly 100 percent dedicated until now. I’m surrounded by great champions like Canelo Alvarez, Oscar Valdez and Ryan Garcia, who help motivate me and it’s a blessing to be learning from Eddy every single day.
“Working with Eddy has helped change my mentality. His mentality is that we can’t take anything for granted in this sport. We’ve been working on a lot of different things and I have the ability to do a lot of new things with Eddy. I can’t wait to show everyone the new Andy Ruiz Jr. on May 1 because I’m more motivated right now than I ever have been before.
“I learned a lot from every trainer that I’ve had and I’m grateful for all of them. With Eddy, he likes to perfect every single punch and every movement in the ring. That level of detail is something that I’ve never had on this level.
“Arreola is a warrior who can take a lot of punches. He’s strong, but we’re going to stick to the game plan and remain disciplined.
“Losing my last fight was devastating. I didn’t do the things that I was supposed to do. That was the most important fight of my career. I had been waiting to become champion my whole life and I started doing things I never thought I would be able to do. I don’t want to make those same mistakes again, and that’s a big part of what’s motivating me.
“Now that I’ve been dropping weight the right way, I feel amazing. I feel like I can do a lot more things that I couldn’t do before because of my body. The sky is the limit for me.
“I still have a grudge inside of me about the second Anthony Joshua fight, because I don’t want to go down that path again. I just want to stay disciplined for this fight and all of the big fights coming up in my future.
“I learned from sparring with Arreola that we’re both warriors. We don’t give up. We love to receive punches and give them back. When we’re in that ring, it’s just business.
“This is going to be an all-action fight. I know Arreola is training really hard and I’m excited for whatever he’s going to bring. I can’t wait to show the people out there all of my improvements.”
EDDY REYNOSO, Ruiz’s Trainer
“Andy has given so much time and has been so dedicated to his work inside the gym. We’re excited for May 1. He is motivated and learning a lot every day.
“We know that on May 1st we’re going to be dealing with an aggressive fighter who is going to bring his best. Andy is excited about the challenge that Arreola presents. It is going to be the second beginning of Andy’s career. This is the start of his pursuit to become champion again. We respect Arreola, but we’re going to go in there to get the job done on May 1st.
“Andy is strong and he has a tremendous focus. I have to congratulate Andy on his effort and dedication so far. I do believe that on May 1, everyone is going to see a much different and improved Andy Ruiz Jr.
“I talked with Andy and his entire team and they gave us the confidence that Andy would work hard. He’s done exactly that. The focus is for him to once again become world champion. There are a lot of great fighters at heavyweight, but we all believe that with this hard work Andy is going to show who he really is.”
