| |
|
|
Andy Ruiz Jr. Faces Damian Knyba At
Prudential Center, Newark, NJ On Sept. 4
Andy Ruiz Jr. makes his long-awaited return to the ring
against Damian Knyba on Friday September 4 at the 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.
Former unified Heavyweight ruler 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.
“I’m going to be fighting in Newark, New Jersey on September
4 baby,” said Ruiz Jr. “After we get this victory, I would
love to fight all the guys that have the belts the Oleksandr
Usyk vacated and we’re going to become a two-time champion
next year, let’s get it.”
“I can’t wait to be back at the Prudential Center, my second
home,” said Knyba. “I’m excited to be back in the ring in
front of the New Jersey and New York fans, and they will
fill the seats with white and red.”
Ruiz Jr’s clash with Knyba leads a stacked card in New
Jersey, with the co-feature bout pitting another new
Matchroom signing Vito Mielnicki Jr. against World
Middleweight title challenger Austin ‘Ammo’ Williams.
Mielnicki Jr. (23-1 13 KOs) penned a deal with Eddie Hearn’s
Matchroom and Boxlab Promotions recently, and immediately
steps into the biggest fight of his career to date on home
turf. The 24-year-old made his pro debut at the Prudential
Center in June 2019 when he was still in High School, and
the Roseland, NJ native is looking to make strides in the
160lbs division by claiming a big win in his Matchroom bow.
For Williams (20-2 12 KOs) this must-win bout behind enemy
lines represents a massive chance to get right back into the
World title mix following a spirited performance in his
first World title battle in Orlando in March, taking WBC
champion Carlos Adames the distance.
"Every fight is another chapter in my story, and on
September 4, I'm ready to write my biggest one yet,” said
Mielnicki Jr. “I respect Ammo Williams because he has proven
himself against top competition, but this is my time. I've
dedicated my life to becoming a World champion, and every
sacrifice I've made has prepared me for moments like this.
“When that bell rings, fans are going to see a fighter who
is hungry, confident, and ready to prove he belongs among
the elite. I'm coming to make a statement and take another
step towards a World title.”
“The 'Ammo Show' is coming to you live on TNT Sports and
DAZN!” said Williams. “I am brimming with excitement to have
this platform and opportunity to display my talents globally
once again. After my previous World Championship bout with
Adames, I learned valuable lessons about what it takes to
dominate at the highest level.
“The hardest thing for me to do was separate from my family
for the first time, all for the sake of seclusion and total
focus. I have taken my talents to Dallas, TX to train with
Derrick James, a current undisputed World Champion creator,
and everyday I get to soak in new knowledge from a
completely different perspective. This is the move and
sacrifice that will unlock my superstardom and propel me to
the level of undisputed World Champion.
“I feel refreshed, renewed, happy, and focused to leave the
world wide-eyed, and gasping for air from the artistic
mutilation of a human being live on global television. Don't
blink, this bout just might steal the show!”
Further early undercard announcements for the card see
another hometown talent will look to shine in their backyard
as Newark’s Zaquin Moses fights for the eighth time in the
paid ranks. Moses (7-0 3 KOs) has already recorded a pair of
six round wins in 2026, and the 21-year-old’s first fight at
home will also be his first eight rounder.
“We ina bityyyyyy!” said Moses. “Make sure y’all come
support watch me beat on someone NEWARK! We outside!
#homecoming.”
"We are excited to welcome Matchroom Boxing to Prudential
Center for the first time,” said Dylan Wanagiel, Vice
President, Sports Properties and Special Events, Prudential
Center. “We are proud to provide a stage for elite
competitors hailing from around the world and also those
fighting in their own back yard here in New Jersey. This
event promises to deliver an exciting showcase of the sweet
science to Brick City, and we look forward to the unique
energy of Fight Night."
“This is going to be a great night in New Jersey,” said
promoter Eddie Hearn. “It’s great to have Andy as part of
the Matchroom team, and everyone knows that at his best, he
can be a devastating performer. Andy is driven to getting
back into the World title mix, so September 4 is a must-win
night for him against the giant Pole Knyba.
“Mielnicki Jr. vs. Williams is a cracking fight in the
Middleweight division, with Vito stepping up in his first
bout with Matchroom to take on the always-dangerous Ammo who
has the World title experience to build on – the winner of
this one is going to arrow in on a massive fight at 160lbs
later this year.
“I’m excited to see Zaquin fight at home for the first time
in his young career, it’s really important that rising stars
like Zaquin get the opportunity to shine in front of their
own fans at home.
“There’s going to be plenty more top-class action to be
added to the card on a night of first for so many, not least
for us at Matchroom as we head to the fantastic Prudential
Center side the first time with our first promotion as part
of the exciting new series “The Fight” with TNT and DAZN – I
cannot wait to get to The Garden State for this huge night
on September 4.”
|
|
|
