ANDY RUIZ JR returned to the boxing ring by flooring Luis Ortiz three times and winning on points.
The pair headlined over 12 rounds in Los Angeles with former unified heavyweight champion Ruiz walking away with a points win.
He dropped Ortiz twice in round two before putting the Cuban veteran down again in the seventh.
The scorecards revealed the fight to be close, with Ruiz's knockdowns actually securing him the victory.
He said: “Since the jump I thought people were doubting me and thought I was going to get my ass knocked down and what not.
“I worked so hard for this fight because I know he’s a warrior and he hits hard.
“I thought I did a beautiful job boxing and countering, I thought I showed some different class than I usually do instead of just pressuring him and going forward.”
Follow all the live reaction below.
- Jack Figg
Ruiz vs Ortiz
Deontay Wilder is ready to fight Premier Boxing Champions stable-mate Ruiz if he beats Robert Helenius.
Wilder said: “Deontay Wilder is back. We’re always looking for great exciting fights we love to give the fans.
“So if that’s what is lined up next, I’ve got to handle business and after that, we can get it on.”
Credit: Getty Images – Getty - Jack Figg
Ruiz vs Ortiz
Ruiz wants to fight Deontay Wilder, who was ringside, if the ex-WBC champion beats Robert Helenius next month.
He said: "God willing he wins against Robert in October.
"Me and him are in the same organisation, I want to thank Al Haymon, he can make this fight happen and let's do it, let's get it on."
- Jack Figg
Ruiz vs Ortiz
Ruiz wants to fight again soon and avoid sitting out after his win.
He said: "Staying active man, I do not want to be waiting so long, I want to fight at least three or four times a year.
"I'm ready, I'm hungry man. I want to be champion again, I want to bring that belt back to Mexico."
- Jack Figg
Ruiz vs Ortiz
Ruiz added: "It was difficult, man.
"But the ability that I have, me counter punching and waiting for him to load up and connecting and dropping him.
"It was a blessing, man and I just want to thank God so much."
- Jack Figg
Ruiz vs Ortiz
Ruiz said: "Since the jump I thought people were doubting me and thought I was going to get my ass knocked down and what not.
"I worked so hard for this fight because I know he's a warrior and he hits hard.
"I thought I did a beautiful job boxing and countering, I thought I showed some different class than I usually do instead of just pressuring him and going forward."
- Jack Figg
Ruiz vs Ortiz
Judges score the bout, 113-112, 114-111 x2, and your winner by unanimous decision, Andy Ruiz Jr.
The fight was actually very close and only Ruiz's knockdown win him the fight.
Ruiz emerges the winner in a WBC title eliminator, with Deontay Wilder and Robert Helenius meeting in another eliminator next month.
- Jack Figg
Ruiz vs Ortiz
Three knockdowns scored for Andy Ruiz Jr, who should get the nod on the scorecards.
But at times the Mexican-American lacked a killer instinct by letting Ortiz recover after being floored.
Official scorecards to follow…
- Jack Figg
Ruiz vs Ortiz
Round 12 – Ortiz comes out swinging and lands two big left hands as he looks for a dramatic late win.
Ortiz fighting right until the final bell but Ruiz is savvy enough to see it out with what should be a fairly comfortable points win.
Late onslaught by Ortiz but we head to the judges scorecards…
- Jack Figg
Ruiz vs Ortiz
Round 11 – Ortiz's left eye is brutally closed now as a result of the powerful shots coming his way.
Right hand shakes Ortiz and here comes Ruiz pouring on the pressure.
Ortiz does well to survive the round and even being knocked out as the fight goes into the 12th and final round.
- Jack Figg
Ruiz vs Ortiz
Round 10 – Left hook lands for Ortiz around the side of Ruiz's guard, bright start to the round.
Southpaw jab snapping the head back of Ruiz, who looks to be waiting for the perfect counter.
Ortiz gets the better of the round with Ruiz really struggling to keep up the momentum he gains in early stages.
- Jack Figg
Ruiz vs Ortiz
Round 9 – Big right hand stuns Ortiz and his legs go wobbly but not enough to floor him again.
Another right hand lands for Ruiz and he looks as though he won't let Ortiz settle.
As the round closes, Ruiz took his foot off the gas, again, and Ortiz looks to have his legs back.
- Jack Figg
Ruiz vs Ortiz
Round 8 – The two come together and let shots go, a bit messy and nothing really lands flush.
Ortiz counters with a left hand after Ruiz attempts a body shot.
Another left hand lands for Ortiz and again Ruiz lets the Cuban recover a round after knocking him down.
- Jack Figg
Ruiz vs Ortiz
Round 7 – Ruiz sinks in a right body shot, dipping down and firing it in.
The pair trade combinations on the inside but neither follow up and the pace again drops.
Big right hand from Ruiz stuns Ortiz and sends the Cuban back.
Combination lands and DOWN GOES ORTIZ. He gets back to his feet with a smile but again the right hook to the side floors him.
- Jack Figg
Ruiz vs Ortiz
Round 6 – Right hook fires in from Ruiz but Ortiz takes it well and keeps coming forward.
Both Ruiz and Ortiz land rear hand shot but they take it well.
Another good round for Ortiz boxing on the outside and Ruiz needs to start trying to push the pace and action now.
- Jack Figg
Ruiz vs Ortiz
Round 5 – Ortiz lands a left to the body but Ruiz responds with a quick counter upstairs, lovely shot.
Ruiz coming forward more, putting his jab out and trying to get on the inside but can't get his combinations off.
Ortiz comes forward with a combination, forcing Ruiz back, but the ex-champ does end the round landing a short right.
- Jack Figg
Ruiz vs Ortiz
Round 4 – Another slow round as Ortiz controls the action from the outside with his jab.
Ruiz threatening in spots with his hand speed but looks unwilling to commit, perhaps due to a shot he has taken in the round.
Ortiz doing a good job keeping it long at the end of his jab.
- Jack Figg
Ruiz vs Ortiz
Round 3 – Ruiz lets his foot off the gas after two knockdowns the round before.
Ortiz getting the better of the Mexican-American but pumping out some awkward southpaw jabs.
Ruiz lands a body shot before the bell sounds but he loses the momentum he gained in round two.
- Jack Figg
Ruiz vs Ortiz
Round 2 – Massive round for Ruiz, who dropped Ortiz with a big counter right hook.
Ortiz made it to his feet but was put down straight after after another right hand with Ruiz scoring TWO knockdowns.
But Ortiz hung in there and even landed some good left hands before the round closed out.
- Jack Figg
Ruiz vs Ortiz
Round 2 – Ruiz clubs Ortiz with a right hook as both heavyweight trade at the same time.
BIG RIGHT HAND AND DOWN GOES ORTIZ!
Ortiz beats the count but is floored for a second time following another right hand, the Cuban is on shaky legs.
He beat the count and lands one on Ruiz, it's fireworks in the ring!
- Jack Figg
Ruiz vs Ortiz
Round 1 – Fairly cagey opener as both paw out their jabs.
Ruiz shows glimpses of his famously fast hands but fails to land anything on note, bar a right body shot.
Ortiz did connect with a lead left hand just before the bell to put Ruiz on alert.
- Jack Figg
Almost ready
Andy Ruiz Jr and Luis Ortiz are both in the ring and being introduced by legendary announcer Jimmy Lennon Jr.
Ruiz weighed in at 268.6lb, which is almost exactly what he came in when beating Anthony Joshua in June 2019.
Ortiz scaled 245.2lb and comes in as the underdog.
Credit: Rex
- Jack Figg
Roll on
Gervonta Davis has urged his two ex-opponents Rolando Romero and Isaac Cruz to fight.
Cruz, who was beaten by Davis in December 2021, called for a rematch after knocking out Eduardo Ramirez.
But Tank has told him to focus on Romero, who he KO'd in May.
Davis tweeted: "Rollie and Issa Cruz need to fight."
- Jack Figg
Wild support
Deontay Wilder is in support of his ex-opponent Luis Ortiz tonight.
Wilder knocked Ortiz out in 2018 and 2019 but the pair remain good friends and linked up in the dressing room before tonight's fight.
Ortiz could even get another shot at Wilder, as his fight with Ruiz is a WBC eliminator.
- Jack Figg
Heavyweight action up next
Andy Ruiz Jr and Luis Ortiz are next up!
Former champion Ruiz returns for the first time since May of last year when he beat Chris Arreola.
Ortiz most recently beat Charles Martin in January.
Credit: Getty Images – Getty - Jack Figg
Cru bet
Isaac Cruz has knocked out Eduardo Ramirez in round two and called out Gervonta Davis.
He said: "We want the rematch with Gervonta Davis."
Davis, who won last year, let out a laugh while watching ringside.
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