Andy Ruiz Jr. Net Worth

What is Andy Ruiz Jr.'s Net Worth?

Andy Ruiz Jr. is a Mexican-American professional boxer who has a net worth of $8 million. Between two fights against Anthony Joshua alone, Andy earned around $20 million.

Andy Ruiz Jr. is best known for shocking the boxing world in 2019 when he defeated Anthony Joshua by seventh-round TKO at Madison Square Garden to become the unified WBA, IBF, WBO, and IBO heavyweight champion. The victory made Ruiz the first heavyweight champion of Mexican descent and instantly turned him from a respected contender into one of the most famous boxers in the world. Nicknamed "The Destroyer," Ruiz is known for his fast hands, toughness, counterpunching, and deceptive athleticism for a heavyweight. Although he lost the titles back to Joshua in their rematch six months later, his upset win remains one of the most memorable heavyweight moments of the 21st century. He has also fought Joseph Parker, Chris Arreola, Luis Ortiz, and Jarrell Miller.

Earnings

Before his first fight against Anthony Joshua, Andy Ruiz Jr. had earned roughly $300,000 in total boxing purses. In early 2018, he was representing himself and was reportedly being offered around $30,000 per fight. That changed almost overnight in 2019.

Ruiz got the opportunity of a lifetime after Joshua's original opponent, Jarrell "Big Baby" Miller, failed drug tests ahead of a scheduled June 1, 2019, title fight at Madison Square Garden. Joshua's team needed a replacement opponent, and Ruiz, who had just defeated Alexander Dimitrenko, reportedly sent promoter Eddie Hearn a direct message on Instagram saying he was ready to fight.

Ruiz entered the Joshua fight as a massive underdog, with some sportsbooks listing him as high as 25-to-1. He knocked Joshua down four times and won by seventh-round TKO, capturing the WBA, IBF, WBO, and IBO heavyweight titles. Including his purse, pay-per-view participation, and win bonus, Ruiz earned approximately $7 million for the fight. That single night increased his career earnings more than 20-fold.

For the December 2019 rematch in Saudi Arabia, Ruiz earned a guaranteed $9 million before pay-per-view, merchandise, and endorsements. Joshua, still the bigger global draw and backed by Matchroom Boxing, was reportedly guaranteed around $60 million for the rematch. He may have earned as much as $13 million when all bonuses were included. Ruiz lost the fight by unanimous decision, giving the heavyweight titles back to Joshua, but the two Joshua fights remain the financial peak of his career.

Ruiz later earned additional major purses for fights against Chris Arreola, Luis Ortiz, and Jarrell Miller. His post-title career has included long layoffs, injuries, and comeback attempts, but the Joshua upset and rematch transformed him financially from a six-figure career fighter into a multimillionaire heavyweight name.

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Early Life

Andy Ruiz Jr. was born Andrés Ponce Ruiz Jr. on September 11, 1989, in Imperial, California. His parents are from Mexico, and Ruiz has always strongly identified with both his American upbringing and Mexican heritage. He grew up in Imperial County, near the California-Mexico border, and was introduced to boxing at a young age by his father.

Ruiz began boxing when he was six years old. His parents placed him in the gym because he was a hyperactive child who often got into trouble, and boxing gave him a place to channel that energy. Because he was large for his age, he was often matched against older boys. As a seven-year-old, he lost to a 12-year-old and briefly wanted to quit. Instead, he stayed with the sport and continued developing the hand speed, toughness, and timing that later made him a world champion.

Before fully committing to boxing, Ruiz also played baseball. He eventually focused on fighting and compiled a strong amateur record. In 2008, he narrowly missed earning a spot on the Mexican Olympic boxing team. He turned professional the following year at age 19.

Early Professional Career

Ruiz made his professional boxing debut in 2009. He quickly built a reputation as a heavyweight with unusually fast hands and a strong chin. While he did not have the traditional body type of a heavyweight champion, his combination punching and comfort fighting at close range made him a difficult opponent.

He spent much of his early career building an undefeated record against journeymen and rising contenders. In 2013, he won the WBO Inter-Continental heavyweight title, and he later added regional belts that helped move him up the rankings.

Ruiz received his first world title opportunity in December 2016 against Joseph Parker in Auckland, New Zealand. The fight was for the vacant WBO heavyweight title. Ruiz fought well and gave Parker a difficult night, but Parker won by majority decision. It was Ruiz's first professional loss, but it also proved that he belonged near the top of the heavyweight division.

After the Parker fight, Ruiz rebuilt with additional wins and eventually positioned himself for the opportunity that would change his life.

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Anthony Joshua Upset

Ruiz's career changed forever in 2019. Anthony Joshua had been scheduled to fight Jarrell "Big Baby" Miller at Madison Square Garden, but Miller was removed from the bout after failed drug tests. Joshua's team needed a replacement opponent on short notice.

Ruiz had just defeated Alexander Dimitrenko in April 2019, moving his record to 32-1. After Luis Ortiz reportedly turned down the Joshua fight, Ruiz saw an opening and reportedly sent promoter Eddie Hearn a direct message on Instagram saying he was ready to fight. On May 1, 2019, Joshua vs. Ruiz was officially announced. One month later, Ruiz was standing in the ring as heavyweight champion.

Most observers expected Joshua to win easily. He was undefeated, heavily favored, and already one of the biggest stars in boxing. Ruiz entered as a massive underdog, with some sportsbooks listing him as high as 25-to-1.

The fight became one of the biggest upsets in modern boxing. Joshua knocked Ruiz down in the third round, but Ruiz got up and immediately hurt Joshua with a fast counter. Ruiz dropped Joshua twice in the third round and continued pressuring him. In the seventh round, Ruiz knocked Joshua down two more times, forcing the referee to stop the fight.

With the win, Ruiz captured the WBA, IBF, WBO, and IBO heavyweight titles. The image of Ruiz celebrating with the belts became one of the defining boxing moments of 2019.

Joshua Rematch and Later Career

Ruiz and Joshua met again in December 2019 in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia. Ruiz entered the rematch much heavier than he had been in the first fight, and Joshua changed tactics. Rather than trading at close range, Joshua used movement, distance, and jabs to control the fight. Joshua won a wide unanimous decision and reclaimed the heavyweight titles.

After the loss, Ruiz acknowledged discipline problems during the months between the two Joshua fights. He later split from trainer Manny Robles and worked with Eddy Reynoso, best known for training Canelo Alvarez.

Ruiz returned in 2021 against Chris Arreola. He was knocked down early but recovered to win by unanimous decision. In 2022, he defeated former heavyweight title challenger Luis Ortiz by unanimous decision, scoring multiple knockdowns and keeping himself in the heavyweight-title conversation.

In 2024, Ruiz returned against Jarrell Miller on the Terence Crawford vs. Israil Madrimov undercard in Los Angeles. The fight ended in a majority draw after 12 rounds. Ruiz injured his right hand during the bout and later said the injury affected his performance.

Personal Life

Ruiz has children and has often spoken about wanting to provide for his family. His Mexican heritage has also been central to his identity and public image. When he defeated Joshua, the victory carried extra meaning because he became the first heavyweight champion of Mexican descent.

Ruiz has also been open about the discipline problems that followed his world-title victory, including weight gain, partying, and a lack of focus before the Joshua rematch. Those struggles became part of his public story. His career has included both triumph and frustration: a historic upset, a short title reign, long layoffs, injuries, and repeated attempts to rebuild himself as a serious contender.

Legacy

Andy Ruiz Jr.'s legacy is secure because of one night: June 1, 2019. By stopping Anthony Joshua at Madison Square Garden, he became the first heavyweight champion of Mexican descent and delivered one of the great upsets in boxing history.

Whether or not he wins another world title, Ruiz will always be remembered as the fighter who proved that speed, timing, heart, and self-belief could overturn one of the biggest heavyweight favorites of his generation.

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