Andy Ruiz takes unanimous decision over Luis Ortiz after three knockdowns

It took a split second for Andy Ruiz Jr. to remind the boxing world just how dangerous he could be.

Ruiz caught Luis Ortiz lacking for a moment and detonated a huge overhand right to score his first of three knockdowns to power his way toward a unanimous decision victory Sunday night. Judges at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles scored it 113-112, 114-111, and 114-111, all in favor of Ruiz, whose quick hands were too much to overcome for an aging but valiant Ortiz, 43. The bout was a WBC heavyweight title eliminator, meaning Ruiz inches closer to a world championship shot.

"I'm ready man. I'm hungry," Ruiz said during his postfight interview in the ring. "I want to be champion again and bring that belt back to Mexico!"

Ruiz struck first in the second round, as he blasted Ortiz with a bashing overhand right to put "King Kong" on his hands and knees.

Ortiz beat the count at nine but would taste the canvas moments later in the same frame as they became entangled in a clinch, where Ruiz pushed him down. Although that second knockdown was ruled a knockdown, it should have been ruled a push.

Ortiz managed to create distance the following rounds, staying on the outside and peppering Ruiz with a right-handed jab. However, Ruiz remained patient and managed to uncoil a compact right hook to the temple that put Ortiz back on the canvas in the seventh round. 

Although Ortiz showed plenty of heart and managed to even win the 12th round by finally uncorking his big left hand, Ruiz's earlier output paved the way for his unanimous decision.

One would have liked to see Ruiz piece together a more sustained effort toward a stoppage, but "The Destroyer" nonetheless picked up the valuable win.

After the fight, Deontay Wilder entered the ring and expressed interest in fighting Ruiz. Wilder clashes with Robert Helenius on Oct. 15.

Here's how the entire Ruiz vs. Ortiz main card pay-per-view went.