Heavyweight boxer Andy Ruiz suffered a significant upset loss to Damian Knyba via unanimous decision on Friday night, September 4, 2026, at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. Knyba dropped Ruiz in the seventh round and swept the scorecards to secure a career-best victory.
Former heavyweight champion Andy Ruiz returned from a lengthy layoff to face Poland’s Damian Knyba on Friday night at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. The 12-round heavyweight bout headlined the third edition of The Fight, a monthly series broadcast on TNT, truTV, and DAZN. Entering the ring at age 36, Ruiz fought for the first time since a majority draw with Jarrell Miller in August 2024.
Damian Knyba Controls the Early Rounds With a Long Jab
From the opening bell, Knyba used his distinct physical advantages to dictate the pace. The punches landed with enough impact to make Ruiz hesitate and withhold his offense, allowing Knyba to accumulate an early lead on the scorecards. Whenever Ruiz managed to work his way inside, Knyba tied him up in the clinch to stall any momentum.
Ruiz noted that whenever he managed to get inside, Knyba would wrap him up in the clinch and stall his offense.
Seventh-Round Knockdown Seals the Upset Result
Ruiz attempted to turn the tide in the fifth and sixth frames, finding success with his right hand and opening a cut on his opponent. However, the momentum shifted back decisively in the seventh round when Knyba landed a double jab-cross followed by a flurry of punches that floored Ruiz in dramatic fashion. Saved only by the closing bell, Ruiz returned to his corner having absorbed significant damage.
Although Ruiz tried to mount a comeback in the later rounds and picked up a couple of frames, Knyba’s stabbing jab and effective clinch work neutralized those efforts. Two judges scored the bout surprisingly close at 114-113, while a third card reflected a more dominant 117-110, giving Knyba the unanimous decision victory in his fourth appearance at the New Jersey arena.
Career-Best Victory for Knyba and What Lies Ahead for Ruiz
The outcome marks a major career milestone for Knyba, who entered the contest looking to rebound from a TKO3 loss to Agit Kabayel in January 2026. For Ruiz, the setback halts his pursuit of another championship opportunity under his new Matchroom Boxing promotional contract.
Despite taking heavy damage and falling to 35-2-1, Ruiz made it clear during his post-fight remarks that retirement is not on his mind. Ruiz stated that he intends to stay active and wants to return to the ring for another fight.
