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Andy Ruiz Jr. vs. Damian Kynba
Final Press Conference Quotes
Andy Ruiz Jr. believes he can rule the world once again as
he returns to action against Damian Kynba on Firday night at
Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, the third headline
show of TNT Sports and DAZN’s “The Fight,” the new monthly
live boxing series, and will be broadcast co-exclusively in
the U.S. on TNT, truTV and DAZN and worldwide on DAZN.
Ruiz Jr. (35-2-1 22 KOs) is back in action after a two-year
absence from the ring and having penned a promotional deal
with Eddie Hearn and Matchroom last week, Mexico’s first
ever Heavyweight king is ready to reignite his quest to
become a two-time World champion.
The 36-year-old stunned the sporting world in June 2019 when
he dethroned Anthony Joshua on a historic night in New York,
and last tasted action in August 2024 in a back-and-forth
majority draw with Jarrell Miller in Los Angeles, the third
bout in a row in his home city following wins over Chris
Arreola and Luis Ortiz.
Standing in the way of Ruiz Jr’s plans to get back to the
summit of the Heavyweight division is Knyba (17-1 11 KOs),
with the Polish giant looking end ‘The Destroyer’s’ grand
plans at the first hurdle. The 6ft 7in is looking to bounce
back to winning ways at the first attempt after taking on
newly anointed WBC champion Agit Kabayel for the interim
title in Germany in January. Knyba fights at the Prudential
Center for the fourth time in his career, and the
30-year-old can move into line for a World title crack with
victory.
Ruiz, Kynba and stars on the undercard spoke at the final
press conference at Prudential Center on Wednesday, here’s
what they had to say:
Eddie Hearn
This is a massive weekend for Matchroom Boxing. Here in
Newark, New Jersey at the wonderful Prudential Center, thank
you to Dylan, Bill and the incredible team here and we're
looking forward to our first ever show here on Friday night,
live and exclusive on TNT and DAZN. This will be one of the
biggest audiences we would have had since we started our
journey here in America, and then of course, on Saturday
night live and exclusive on DAZN around the world and on RTE
in Ireland, Katie Taylor will make her final ring walk in
front of 83,000 people at Croke Park.
On Friday night here in New Jersey, it’s the return of The
Destroyer, Andy Ruiz, the former unified World Heavyweight
champion, the first Mexican World Heavyweight champion,
returning to the ring against Poland's Damian Knyba.
It's a wonderful fight and what an undercard as well to talk
about before we get started with the main event. I think the
fight of the night could well be two fantastic
Middleweights, Vito Mielnicki and Austin ‘Ammo’ Williams,
it's a fantastic matchup.
Andy Ruiz Jr.
I'm really excited for this fight, especially with having my
team, my family, my son with me. This is the reason why I do
this for for my kids and all my loved ones. I'm ready. I'm
excited, and there is a lot of pressure under this fight
because a lot of people are expecting the worst or the best.
I just got to go out there, pray for the best and to get
that victory on Friday night.
It's legacy and me proving to myself that I am capable of
doing everything right and to be champion again. I had all
the belts and I lost them all by not being disciplined. Now
that I'm disciplined, I'm dedicated and I'm hungry, I I want
those belts back. I want to prove to myself and to all my
family and my fans that I am capable of becoming champion
again.
I got to climb up the ladders once again. I have a tough
opponent with Damian. I know he wants to win this fight just
like me. That's going to make it an exciting fight. There's
a lot of nerves, a lot of emotional feelings right now, I
just I just want to look good and become victorious on
September 4.
That's why they call me the giant slayer because I'm always
a small guy fighting these big, big guys. But for some
reason, it works for me and I'm going to have to do whatever
it takes to to get that victory.
It's just staying disciplined, staying dedicated, listening
to my trainers and my team. I'm just happy that I reunited
with Manny Robles because before the other fights and the
other opponents that I had, I wasn't doing the right things
that I was supposed to. I just appreciate Manny always
pushing me and calling me if I'm not at the gym, he's over
there calling me, "Where you at, man? Remember the mission.
Remember the dream that you want to be. You want to become a
two-time Heavyweight champion. Remember what it took for you
to to beat Anthony Joshua. You got to do the same thing. You
have the abilities. You have the speed. You have the power.
Don't don't waste your talent." That kind of woke me up and
that's why we're here now.
Damian Knyba
I'm expecting the most hungry and best version of Andy Ruiz.
I've been training my whole life for fights like this. I'm
excited and more than ready for the opportunity. I've been
dreaming and fighting for opportunities like this since I
started boxing and I know there's going to be a ton of
Polish people here supporting me and one of my biggest
dreams and aspirations is to bring Polish boxing back to
Prudential Center on the biggest stage.
Vito Mielnicki Jr.
All that a-side, b-side stuff really at the end of the day
doesn't matter, on Friday night we got to get in there and
fight, and I'm going to come out there with the W.
It's my time. I've been moving my way up the ranks, the
highs and lows of a career and now it's time. I have a lot
of respect for Ammo, I respect the tests that he's taken,
the fights he's taken and what he's done in the sport, but
it's my time to take over 160lbs division.
Austin ‘Ammo’ Williams
Every fight for me has been a must-win. I never came into a
fight feeling like I was okay not getting a victory, and
every time I didn't get it, it hurt me to the core, the
deepest hurt you could imagine. This one gave me the
blessings being able to go with Derrick James, being able to
get new preparation and be able to pull my style back,
starting in Houston and getting the six years with Kevin
Cunningham, a different slick style, but now getting back to
my roots in a Texas style. I'm ready to show a more
developed and complete style.
I definitely want to point out he is not like me at all.
First thing he said was a lie about the a-side, b-side don't
matter. I'm the person that said it doesn't matter. I'm the
person that took the fight no matter what the promotion was
because I know what I'm going to do in the ring. I hear him
and I'm definitely ready. I'm using his energy. I wasn't a
kid put in this sport. I chose this myself and I knew I was
going to get my respect from fighting people when I just had
to fight them. I wasn't number, this ain't a numbers game
for me. This is my life. I'm putting on the line every time.
They are going to call me the Brick City champ after what I
do to you.
One loss will change your whole trajectory of what you can
do in the sport. I never went into a fight feeling like I
was privileged or a guy that needed this type of emotion. I
always came in hungry. I always came in with that chip on my
shoulder, and this is just another night to show I'm that
guy; I'm a real champion. I've been waiting for my night.
I've been waiting for my moment. If it got to happen in
somebody backyard, if it got to happen with his family,
fans, and all his friends around, let's do it.
Alan Chaves
I am aware I will have a very difficult fight this Friday,
but I am you know I am going I'm going to fight to seek that
victory. I am well aware of the of the amazing fighters like
Abdullah Mason, they're on top of me right now, but I'm
taking things one one thing at a time. I am focusing on my
next fight, and I have prepared 100 per cent and I'm ready
for a good result this Friday.
Eridson Garcia
I want to say thank you to Matchroom for this opportunity,
this is another great challenge in my career and I'm ready
for a victory this Friday night. I had an amazing
unforgettable victory in Saudi Arabia. I have also won at
the Prudential Center and I don't see why it will be any
different again this Friday.
Zaquin Moses
I'm excited, I've been watching bro (Shakur Stevenson) come
here for a long time performing, and finally it's my time to
do it. I want to show the young kids that anything is
possible as long as you chase your dream and make sure you
give 100 per cent and you keep going and never stop.
I watch I watch a little bit of him, he's durable, he's
tough, but that’s what I have trained for. I know what I'm
capable of, I know the work that I put in and I just can't
wait to show it Friday night.
Angel Contreras
I am so honored and proud to be part of this amazing card. I
feel very excited, like in the previous fights that I had,
and I'm coming with 100 per cent. I trained very hard and
I'm here to get a a great result this Friday.
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