Andy Ruiz will face Jarrell ‘Big Baby’ Miller in his long overdue comeback fight, according to reports.
The former unified heavyweight world champion hasn’t fought since beating Luis Ortiz via unanimous decision in September 2022.
According to ESPN, he will return to the ring on August 3 against Miller in an event organised by Saudi Arabia’s new boxing chiefs.
The blockbuster show is said to be taking place in Los Angeles with Terence Crawford and Israil Madrimov headlining.
Isaac Cruz is also reportedly set to feature on the same bill as he prepares to make the first defence of his WBA super-lightweight world title against Jose Valenzuela.
On Monday, Ruiz dropped a major hint that he would be returning to action this summer by responding to a social media post regarding his reported fight date with a pair of eyes emoji.
He also reposted a fan’s tweet, which read: “It’s about time man, they forgot about The Destroyer.”
Ruiz was thrust into the limelight after recording a monumental upset victory over Anthony Joshua in 2019.
‘The Destroyer’ stopped AJ in the seventh round to claim the WBA, IBF, and WBO world titles, but lost all three belts six months later when he was comfortably outpointed by Joshua in their rematch.
Ruiz stepped in to fight Joshua on short notice after his original opponent, Miller, failed a pre-fight drug test.
Miler was swerved a ban at the time, but did receive one when he tested positive once again ahead of his proposed 2020 bout with Jerry Forrest.
He has since been cleared to resume his career and is now expected to take on Ruiz after losing his most recent outing to Daniel Dubois on the ‘Day of Reckoning’ undercard last December.
Joshua headlined that bill against Otto Wallin and got into a heated altercation with Miller at a Saudi hotel when they came face-to-face for the first time since the cancellation of their fight five years ago.
“I smell p***y on you since day one bro,” Miller said to Joshua.
“I know what I’ll do, I know who I’ll fight,” AJ replied.
Miller then accused his fierce rival of ducking fights, but Joshua was having none of it.
“You don’t know me, bro,” he replied. “Look at my record, who have I ducked?
“Me and you aren’t on the same level and where you are at in your career, you offer me nothing.
“I don’t need to fight you, where I go is bigger and better than you. You’re on my undercard, I’m hosting you, welcome to my show.”