Andy Ruiz RETURNS! Full Press Conference + Face Off Video vs Knyba

[0:06] Well good afternoon everyone. Welcome and a huge reception and this is a reception of course for [0:12] the former unified world heavyweight champion. We'll do that again of course the return of Andy [0:17] Ruiz ladies and gentlemen back in the house today here in Los Angeles. Of course here for two reasons [0:23] today. Number one is to announce that seven weeks today as I said the former unified world heavyweight [0:29] champion Andy Ruiz will return to action. The Prudential Center Newark live on the zone around [0:35] the world and TNT across America as well against this man. The dangerous Damien Knieber just one [0:42] defeat on his record to the world heavyweight champion in a war against Ajit Kabiel. We are [0:47] delighted of course to incorporate that the signing in a multi-year deal multi-fight deal [0:53] with Andy Ruiz. The kind of full circle moment when he broke our hearts on June the 1st in 2019 [1:00] when he become world heavyweight champion. Who would have thought that all these years on [1:04] after my heart has only just mended we would be working with Andy Ruiz as he embarks on a really [1:11] exciting time in the heavyweight division. The belts are up in the air. The division is wide open and [1:18] we know that this guy has all the ability all the speed all the fundamentals to become world heavyweight [1:24] champion again. They didn't want an easy fight they stepped up against this man who ironically just a week [1:30] ago I turned up in a gym to watch Anthony Joshua finish his training camp and he's having a war with [1:35] this guy. I can't get away from anybody. You saw him against Ajit Kabiel in a fantastic fight in Germany. [1:42] Of course Ajit Kabiel now the world heavyweight champion. A big team, big Polish support as well [1:48] in Newark as we have said September the 4th Newark Prudential Centre. It's a wonderful wonderful arena [1:56] and we look forward to a stacked stacked card. Vito Milnecki against Ammo Williams in a brilliant co-main [2:02] event there and delighted as well to announce the return of arguably the most dangerous 135 pounder in [2:09] the world. Alan Chavez will be in a big fight on that card as will be Zaquin Moses of course the [2:15] hometown kid, cousin of Shakur Stevenson. This guy's a tremendous young fighter and we look forward to [2:21] a great night as I said live on The Zone and a huge audience. Millions tuning in on TNT to see the [2:28] return of this guy. We'll go to the Polish side first. Lucas let's start with you, brother of Adam Konacki [2:34] who obviously had a great run in New York and in the heavyweight division as well. A big deal [2:40] coming up now for Damian, a great fight with Ajit Kabiel, great camp with Anthony Joshua, a big moment [2:46] for Polish boxing and for Damian on September 4th. Yeah of course I wanted to thank Matchroom, Eddie, [2:53] the whole team, top rank, The Zone for letting us, giving us the opportunity. Damian has headlined at the [3:00] Prudential Center before. It's nothing new. He kind of fell short on the early stoppage with Kabiel [3:06] but he's ready to go back in there with the top names. He's ready to get back in there September 4th [3:11] with Andy. Obviously as we said you know you guys have been filling arenas in New York for a long [3:17] time with that Polish support. You did it with your brother Adam and many fighters as well. Obviously we [3:22] know Andy Reid is one of the biggest names in the heavyweight division. There'll be a lot of American fans, [3:25] there'll be a whole host of Mexican fans as well but big big Polish support coming for Damian. It's [3:30] going to be some atmosphere. Yeah the Polish always come out. It's great to have a heavyweight [3:35] and that's competing at the level that he is. We're definitely going to come out. It's definitely [3:40] going to be loud. I think we're going to be probably more, we're going to be outnumbering the Mexicans [3:45] unfortunately but all boxing fans are going to be in there for a night of boxing and that's the most [3:50] support warranting. Thank you. Damian, welcome. Again, saw you just over a week ago in fantastic [3:57] sparring with Anthony Joshua. Great training camp. You're looking super sharp, super focused [4:02] and another massive opportunity for you in Newark. [4:05] I've seen you on the team on the sparring with Anthony Joshua. You look incredible. You're [4:12] in good shape. And you have a great opportunity to fight in such a big fight. [4:17] First of all I want to thank Matchroom, Eddie Hearn and Andy Ruiz and [4:47] his whole team for the opportunity. I have my sights set very high and I hold myself to a very high [4:54] standard. So opportunities like this are a blessing and I will never turn it down. I'm looking forward [4:59] to it. Obviously that camp with AJ was good. One thing I remember with that conversation when I [5:04] spoke to you with Anthony as well and he said, you know, believe in yourself. You're one win away [5:10] from changing your life forever and really for fighting from the World Heavyweight Championship. [5:14] If you beat Andy Ruiz on September 4th, you will fight for the World Heavyweight Championship [5:19] with the profile that gives you and a huge opportunity in your life and your career. [5:23] Anthony Joshua ci mówił, żebyś w siebie wierzył, że jesteś tylko jedną wygraną, [5:29] jedną walkę od wielkich rzeczy i potencjalnie zostaniem mistrza świata, [5:33] co wygrana z Andy Ruizem ci może dać. Jak się z tym czujesz? [5:38] Przede wszystkim jestem wdzięczny też AJ za taki obóz, za wszystkie jego porady, [5:46] za niesamowite doświadczenie. Wierzę w siebie. Naprawdę mogę wygrać ten pojedynek. [5:52] Naprawdę każdego dnia będę ciężko trenował, ciężko przecernuję ten camp [5:56] i na pewno uda mi się to zrobić. [5:58] Yeah, I really want to thank Anthony Joshua for all the kind words and all the encouragement. [6:05] I really believe in myself in this fight and I know that this is my chance to get to where I want to be at. [6:10] Thank you. Thank you Damien and thank you as well to Top Rank for allowing us to make this fight. [6:16] It's another fight, another episode of this brilliant inter-promotional rivalry with Top Rank. [6:21] We took a little bit of a hammering from them in the early part of the year. [6:24] We had a big big win of course when Boots beat Zias recently in Brooklyn and again another matchroom [6:30] and Top Rank matchup September 4th. [6:33] We go over to the Andy Ruiz side now as well and I also want to thank Sean Gibbons as well [6:38] for all his help to get this over the line. He's one crazy individual. [6:42] If you knew the history we've probably been talking to Andy Ruiz for two years now trying to sign him [6:48] or close to certainly well over a year and just recently met up in Egypt. [6:52] And when I sat down with Andy Ruiz firstly saw the shape that he's in now, saw the focus in his eyes. [6:59] This was a guy on a journey that I wanted to be involved with. [7:02] When you look at the division right now I don't see many out there beating this guy [7:07] if he's on it and if he's on form. [7:10] The return of the training team with Manny Robles I think is so important to that team and to that form. [7:17] These guys worked so well with each other back in 2017, 18, 19 and now with this new focus from [7:24] Andy Ruiz back with Manny Robles. [7:26] I truly believe that the world is his oyster and I believe he can be World Heavyweight Champion again. [7:31] First up, Damien Knieber for Andy Ruiz Senior. Welcome. [7:36] Again, great to be working with you guys even when you broke our hearts. [7:40] I couldn't help but be pleased for all of you because of what I knew what it meant to you all. [7:45] I know obviously it's your son becomes the first ever Mexican World Heavyweight Champion [7:49] and now you're ready to get back on it and try and do it all again. [7:54] Yeah, we're gonna become, he's gonna become champion of the world again and thanks to you and God [8:01] that this thing is happening. [8:04] And I got a lot of fame. My son, he's coming back hard and strong and he's gonna be ready for all these heavyweights. [8:13] Obviously it was a crazy time when he beat AJ, had the rematch, you know, life gets crazy, [8:19] all the money comes in as well. How proud are you to see him back in this kind of shape with this kind of focus? [8:26] Well, I'm real proud and I was feeling so impressed when he won the first, the champion of the world, [8:34] the first Mexican champion of the world. And now we're coming back, strong, mentally, physical, [8:40] and we're ready for Anthony, Joshua, anyone, anyone. [8:43] Steady, steady. In time, in time. We've got a bit of business to take care of first. [8:50] Manny, welcome back. Again, you know, famous scenes, both of you jumping up and down. [8:57] I mean, you were like 10 feet off the floor, both of you at Madison Square Garden, [9:00] when you unified or you won the unified world heavyweight championship. [9:05] We know that this means a lot to you, this relationship personally as well. [9:09] That night, maybe what could have been on the run, but a great chance now with the division [9:14] wide open to go on an incredible run with Andy Ruiz. [9:17] Correct. Thank you. Thank you for having myself and my team here with Andy. [9:21] Thank you very much. Matchroom and the entire boxing community. [9:25] Thank you for being here. Yeah, we're back. We're back. You said it. [9:29] It's like he never left. Uh, this didn't just happen overnight. [9:33] We've been working together for several months now. And, uh, you know, he's been in the gym and [9:40] focusing, uh, training, getting them back on track. Now that we signed, now that he signed [9:46] to Matchroom and he has a fight date now, and now he's more focused than ever. And, uh, it's, uh, [9:53] uh, you know, what you said, uh, uh, a couple of minutes ago when we first won the world title, [9:58] we're jumping up and down and we couldn't be happier, you know, not just only for him winning [10:03] the world title, but for what it meant to the entire Mexican community. You know what I mean? [10:09] And the entire Latin community and the world out there that anything in life is possible. [10:15] He did it. And now it's, it's made a lot of money, but now it's not about money. Now it's about legacy, [10:22] you know, and he understands that now, and now the stakes are higher and you know, [10:27] we got a tough task in front of us. Very good fighter. I've been studying him. I've been doing [10:32] my homework and it's, it's not going to be easy, but good things in life don't come easy. You know [10:37] what I mean? And we've got to get over this hurdle that we want to, you know, aspire to, to, to fight [10:43] for a world title. We got a tough task in front of us and, uh, first things first. [10:49] Thanks man. Great words, Andy. Welcome. Welcome, mate. This is brilliant to see you back. I mean, [10:55] firstly, as part of our team and match room and the zone, but secondly, just to see you back, [11:01] right? To see you back in this kind of frame of mind, to see you back physically [11:05] like this as well. You're a really important member of that heavyweight mix. And now I get to do it with [11:11] all our artillery behind you to try and recapture the world heavyweight title, to try and become again, [11:17] not just an addition to the first ever Mexican world heavyweight champion, but the first ever [11:22] Mexican to become a two-time world heavyweight champion. And incredible to see you back. [11:27] Must be really excited ahead of your return on September 4th. Yes. Yes. Uh, man. Thank God. [11:33] I never thought that I was going to be here, you know, again, and especially with, with you, [11:38] with match room and it's just a big blessing, especially from all the downfalls that I had, [11:44] um, from my career, from the surgeries, from all the stuff that was going on. But I'm just so blessed [11:51] to be here and, and hungry, excited, and especially reuniting with Manny Robles. Now I know how, [11:57] what hard work is again, because that's how, uh, I became champions. That's, that's how I made my, [12:04] my dreams come true by hard work. And these last other fights of me doing my own training, [12:10] um, during my own understanding, it wasn't the way. So I think that's why I struggled so much [12:16] in all these other fights, but now it's a lot different. So, um, I'm really happy and I'm proud [12:22] of myself as well, taking the next step and taking it serious. I remember, I remember when obviously [12:33] you won the world heavyweight, it was just crazy, crazy times. And maybe that came a little bit too [12:37] early. I don't know what it was, but when I sat down with you in Egypt, I, I really saw a more mature [12:43] version of Andy Rees, a much clearer mind. You seem so focused on what you want to do. And that [12:49] is of course, to, to regain the world heavyweight championship. Exactly. And once you have everything, [12:54] and then they take everything away of your mistakes, of the things that you didn't take serious. And [13:00] I didn't lose that fight because I lost, I lost it because of me, because I didn't do the things that [13:05] I was supposed to do. And I feel once a man that's really hungry, that had everything, that's a [13:10] dangerous man. And that's what I feel right now. I'm a dangerous man and I'm hungry. And I want to [13:15] prove not just to my family, not just to my fans, but to myself that I am capable of becoming a two [13:21] time heavyweight champion. I ain't capable of, of, um, letting everybody know that, that it is possible. [13:28] You know, if you work hard, you believe in yourself, you tell Jesus all the things that you want to [13:33] accomplish and it is possible. And I feel that is my mission and that mission is going to be accomplished. [13:38] Well, we know you've got your sights on the world heavyweight championship, but [13:42] this is a serious fight and you wanted to come back with a real test as well. It's a huge heavyweight. [13:47] You know, you are going really, we know there's going to be a lot of American and Mexican sport. [13:52] There's also going to be some incredible Polish support as well. It's live on DAZN, live on TNT. [13:57] Millions across the country are going to be watching this. We're expecting a huge audience. [14:01] You wouldn't want it any other way. No, and, um, and I respect all the fighters, man, [14:06] every fighter that steps into that ring. I respect all of them because we're right there, uh, [14:11] risking our lives for our, for our loved ones and for, for our family. But I'm not looking over him. [14:17] I'm not underestimating him like I did with baby Miller, with, with other, other, the other fighters. [14:23] I know he's coming for everything. Just like how you told him, he has to work hard. He has to beat me [14:28] so he could get a world title shot. So I'm sure that he's really hungry, just like how I am. So best [14:34] believe I'm not underestimating him, but just believe that I'm here. I'm here to stay and I'm [14:38] here to win. Well, thank you everyone. Finally, the final word from you, Andy, [14:42] just what it means to you to be back after everything you've been through in your life, [14:46] to see you standing here now with the strength about to go onto a run to try and win the World [14:51] Heavyweight Championship. A few words for your fans, maybe in English and in Spanish as well, [14:56] and tell them to get ready for what's coming September 4th. [14:59] No, it feels good, man. It feels a blessing. I've been praying and praying for this moment. [15:03] Thank you, Jesus, for him having me here in this big, big stage, especially where I made history [15:09] with you, with Matchroom. [15:10] I'm not going to let anybody down, especially myself. So toda la raza, [15:25] apoyarme. September 4th, vamos a ser historia otra vez. Y quiero ser el dos veces campeón del mundo [15:31] para México. Y tener esos cinturones conmigo otra vez cuando yo los tenía. No los quiero perder. [15:37] Y siendo con el, con mi entrenador Manny Robles, vamos a, vamos a triunfar, Machine. Pero viva México. [15:46] Well, thank you all. Beautifully spoken, everybody. It was a great start to what will be a big promotional [15:56] campaign. As we said, seven weeks today. The Prudential Center, New York tickets now on sale. [16:02] A stacked night of boxing and a big, big heavyweight fight as we see the return of Andy Ruiz. [16:07] We're going to face the guys off here and we'll have the weigh-in coming shortly. Thank you.