What happened to Andy Ruiz Jr. after the Anthony Joshua fight? Weight gain, mysterious media absence, and other struggles

Andy Ruiz Jr.'s journey from obscurity to heavyweight champion and subsequent fall from grace is a cautionary tale of the pressures of fame and fortune. The once-overlooked boxer shocked the world when he dethroned Anthony Joshua in 2019, but his subsequent weight gain, inactivity, and personal struggles derailed his career.

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What happened to Andy Ruiz Jr.?

The aftermath of his victory over Joshua was marked by a whirlwind of fame and excess, leading to a decline in training and discipline. The eventual rematch, which he lost decisively, triggered a downward spiral that saw him withdraw from the public eye and battle personal demons. In an His former coach, Manny Robles, described the challenges of maintaining control over a fighter who was struggling with his mental health.

"I had control when he was there, but I don't live with the guy. Sometimes people say, 'It's your fighter; how come he's not being disciplined?' Hey, I'm his coach, not his dad." [H/t: ESPN]

The champion's life spiraled into a downward spiral, marked by excessive partying, drug use, and a toxic relationship.

“I didn’t want to show my face because I felt like I’d let everyone down. I had this shame. locked myself in the house, ate a lot, smoked, drank. I was just depressed. I didn’t think I would keep boxing.”

Ruiz Jr. added:

“I got into a new relationship and my old girlfriend got really mad, It’s very hard when somebody is accusing you of crazy stuff you didn’t do because a lot of kids looked up to me as a role model. I want to clear my name.” [H/t: The Times]

However, a glimmer of hope emerged as Ruiz Jr. began a determined path to redemption. He shed significant weight, rebuilt his training regimen, and expressed a renewed passion for boxing. The former champion is now focused on reclaiming his title and erasing the memory of his previous failures.

He is scheduled to face a crucial test against Jarrell Miller on Aug. 3. The heavyweight clash, part of the Crawford-Madrimov undercard, is a must-win for both fighters looking to reignite their careers.