Boxing
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Damian Knyba defeats Andy Ruiz Jr. behind a steady flow of jabs and one huge knockdown
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NEWARK, N.J. — Andy Ruiz Jr. did his part by showing up in the best shape boxing fans have seen him in for quite some time.
However, it didn't stop Damian Knyba from force-feeding him jabs that led to a breakthrough knockdown en route to a unanimous decision victory Friday night. The former unified heavyweight world champion was fighting in his first bout in two years and couldn't resolve Knyba's jab and the ring real estate he commanded with it. Judges inside the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey scored the fight 117-110, 114-113 and 114-113 for the Polish giant in a win that was live on DAZN worldwide and TNT Sports in the United States.
Knyba's steady flow of jabs eventually opened up in the seventh round toward a devastating right-left combo that put Ruiz on jelly legs, before the 6-foot-7 Polish fighter pounced and put him down with a few more hard shots.
Though Ruiz looked out of it, he somehow managed to gather himself back enough to win the next two rounds, getting inside of Knyba's jab with guts and will. That said, Knyba was able to reassert the jab behind the distance to win by comfortable unanimous decision.
Here's how the entire fight and main card went.
Andy Ruiz Jr. vs. Damian Knyba main card results
- Damian Knyba defeats Andy Ruiz Jr. via unanimous decision; heavyweight
- Vito Mielnicki Jr. beats Austin 'Ammo' Williams by unanimous decision; middleweight
- Eridson Garcia dominates Alan Chaves with four knockdowns in unanimous decision; lightweight
- Zaquin Moses defeats Angel Contreras via fifth-round TKO; super featherweight
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