Former unified heavyweight champion Andy Ruiz Jr. also called “The Mexican Rocky” or ” The Destroyer” is ready to launch his latest run toward the top of the division—and a dangerous 6-foot-7 opponent is waiting for him.
Ruiz faces Polish heavyweight Damian Knyba in a high-stakes main event on Friday, September 4, at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. The fight headlines another edition of The Fight, the live boxing series from TNT Sports and DAZN, and will stream worldwide on DAZN.
For Ruiz, this is more than a return bout. It is an opportunity to remind the heavyweight division why “The Destroyer” remains one of boxing’s most recognizable and explosive fighters. For Knyba, it is the biggest platform of his career and a chance to upset a former world champion in a venue he knows well.
Andy Ruiz Jr. vs. Damian Knyba: Fight details
- Date: Friday, September 4, 2026
- Venue: Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey
- Main-card start time: 8:00 p.m. ET / 5:00 p.m. PT
- Estimated main-event ring walks: Approximately 10:15–11:00 p.m. ET
- Live stream: DAZN worldwide
- U.S. television: TNT and truTV, alongside DAZN
Ring-walk times can change depending on the length of the earlier bouts, so viewers should tune in from the beginning of the main broadcast.
Can Andy Ruiz Jr. begin another championship run?
Ruiz became a global boxing star in June 2019 when he shocked Anthony Joshua to capture the unified heavyweight championship. His fast hands, compact combinations and ability to turn a fight around in an instant produced one of the greatest heavyweight upsets of the modern era.
Now 36, Ruiz enters this matchup with a professional record of 35-2-1, including 22 knockouts. He has been away from the ring since his majority draw with Jarrell Miller in August 2024, making this a fascinating test of both his conditioning and his championship ambitions.
The former champion has reunited with trainer Manny Robles and begins a new chapter with Matchroom Boxing. Ruiz has made his objective clear: he wants to become a two-time heavyweight world champion. A convincing performance in Newark would put his name straight back into the conversation for major fights.
The key question is whether Ruiz can close the distance against such a tall opponent. At his best, Ruiz uses quick feet and surprisingly rapid combinations to punish bigger heavyweights on the inside. If he can get past Knyba’s jab and work to the body, the Mexican-American star could quickly take control.
Damian Knyba has a major opportunity
nyba arrives with a 17-1 record and 11 knockout victories. At 6 feet 7 inches, the 30-year-old Pole owns a significant height and reach advantage, giving Ruiz a completely different challenge from the opponents he has faced recently.
Although Knyba is looking to rebound from a loss to Agit Kabayel, he has the size, power and motivation to make this a difficult night for the favorite. He has also fought at Prudential Center several times, so the Newark stage will not be unfamiliar territory.
Knyba’s route to victory is likely to begin behind a disciplined jab. If he controls the range, keeps Ruiz at the end of his punches and avoids extended exchanges at close quarters, he can turn the fight into an uncomfortable tactical battle. A win over a former unified champion would immediately transform his position in the heavyweight division.
Why Ruiz vs. Knyba is worth watching
his matchup brings together two contrasting heavyweight styles. Ruiz is the shorter, faster combination puncher who wants to get inside. Knyba is the towering heavyweight who will look to control distance and make his physical advantages count.
There is also genuine pressure on both men. Ruiz cannot afford a slow start if he is serious about another title run, while Knyba has a rare opportunity to claim the biggest name on his record. That combination of styles and stakes gives the main event real upset potential.
Fans should watch three important factors:
- Ruiz’s speed after the layoff: Will his trademark hand speed still separate him from the rest of the heavyweight field?
- Knyba’s jab and reach: Can the Polish contender prevent Ruiz from entering punching range?
- The pace in the later rounds: If the bout becomes physical, conditioning could decide which fighter takes command down the stretch.
Mielnicki Jr. vs. Williams leads the supporting card
The co-feature adds another meaningful matchup as New Jersey’s Vito Mielnicki Jr. meets Austin “Ammo” Williams in the middleweight division.
Mielnicki enters with a 23-1 record and 13 knockouts. The local favorite will make his Matchroom debut in the same building where he began his professional career. Williams, a former world-title challenger with a 20-2 record and 13 knockouts, brings valuable experience and plenty of power of his own.
Newark prospect Zaquin Moses is also scheduled to compete as he looks to continue his unbeaten rise in front of a hometown crowd. With established names, local talent and important divisional stakes, the card offers action well before the heavyweights enter the ring.
How to watch Andy Ruiz Jr. vs. Damian Knyba on DAZN
Boxing fans around the world can watch Ruiz vs. Knyba live on DAZN. In the United States, the event will also air on TNT and truTV as part of The Fight series.
To stream the event, open DAZN on a supported smart TV, phone, tablet, computer, streaming device or game console, sign in to your account and select Ruiz vs. Knyba from the schedule. New viewers can create an account and choose an eligible DAZN plan before the broadcast begins.
DAZN plans, pricing and event availability can vary by country. Check the DAZN website in your region for the latest viewing options.
Don’t miss Ruiz’s heavyweight return
Andy Ruiz Jr. has already proven that one night can change everything in the heavyweight division. Against Damian Knyba, he must show that his speed, power and championship instincts remain strong enough to fuel another run toward the top.
Knyba has no intention of serving as a stepping stone. The Polish heavyweight has the size and opportunity to spoil Ruiz’s comeback and create a defining moment of his own.
Watch Andy Ruiz Jr. vs. Damian Knyba live on DAZN on Friday, September 4, and tune in from 8:00 p.m. ET so you do not miss any of the action from Newark.
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