Former Heavyweight Champion Dropped, Loses And Urged To Retire
Damian Knyba upset Andy Ruiz Jr. on Friday at the Prudential Center in Newark. Full results from the card, highlights and post-fight reaction
On September 4th, 2026, Damian Knyba secured a significant victory by knocking out former heavyweight champion Andy Ruiz Jr. at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. Knyba, standing at 6-foot-7, utilized his length and jab to control the 12-round bout, resulting in a unanimous decision win. The 30-year-old Knyba, with an 86-inch reach and a third-round stoppage win, exploited Ruiz's lack of foot speed and the fact that he had not fought in four years.
The result marks Knyba's career-best achievement, positioning him strongly in the heavyweight division. In contrast, Ruiz, 36 years old and a 35-3-1 record holder, faces a challenging future after his loss under a new promoter. The fight was highly anticipated due to Ruiz's previous success, including winning against Anthony Joshua in 2019, but Knyba's strategic plan and physical advantages proved too much to overcome.
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