Andy Ruiz Jr. suffered a disappointing loss to Damian Knyba at the Prudential Center in Newark on September 4, 2026, where Knyba won by unanimous decision after 12 rounds. The 30-year-old Knyba, standing 6-foot-7 with an 86-inch reach, effectively used his height and jab to control the fight and even scored a knockdown in the seventh round. Ruiz, who is 36 years old and returning after a four-year hiatus, struggled to keep up with Knyba’s reach and activity. The judges scored the bout 117-110 and two cards at 114-113 for Knyba, confirming the upset.

Ruiz came into this fight with a record of 35-2-1 and was trying to reestablish himself in the heavyweight title picture after limited activity—only one fight since 2022. He looked reminiscent of his 2019 form in some moments but was ultimately outmatched in this bout by the younger, rangier Knyba. This defeat leaves Ruiz at 35-3-1 and raises questions about his future in boxing, especially as he approaches his 37th birthday. His new promoter is also facing scrutiny after this first outing together.

For Knyba, this victory is a career highlight and a critical rebound after a January 2026 TKO loss to Agit Kabayel in a WBC interim title challenge. Improving his record to 18-1, the win gives him momentum and a solid foundation to build a fanbase in the U.S., particularly among cities with large Polish communities. Knyba showed the skills and poise necessary to compete at a high level, making him a contender to watch in the heavyweight division moving forward.

Following the fight, boxing experts including Shawn Porter, Timothy Bradley, and Terence Crawford publicly suggested that Ruiz should consider retirement. While Ruiz had a spirited effort in the mid-rounds, Knyba’s strong jab and calculated approach secured the win and majorly shifted the heavyweight landscape. The bout results from the undercard also saw rising talents like Vito Mielnicki Jr. and Alan Chaves secure unanimous decision victories, emphasizing this event’s significance for future prospects in the sport.