Andy Ruiz Jr faced a disappointing setback in his return to the ring, suffering a loss to Damian Knyba by unanimous decision. The bout took place at the Prudential Center in New Jersey on Friday night, marking Ruiz Jr's first fight in two years after a lengthy layoff.

The judges scored the fight 117-110, 114-113, and 114-113 in favor of Knyba, showcasing a disciplined performance from the Polish fighter. Ruiz Jr, a former heavyweight champion known for his stunning victory over Anthony Joshua seven years ago, struggled throughout the match and hit the canvas in the seventh round, needing the bell to save him from further damage.

Despite the bruising defeat, including a black eye post-fight, Ruiz Jr remains optimistic about his future. He acknowledged the challenges posed by the long absence from the ring and praised Knyba as a formidable opponent.

Ruiz Jr stated:

"It was just a long lay-off, and it was a great opponent. I didn't want to take an easy fight, so that's why I took Damian. He's a big guy. But we've got to take risks. I've still got it in me, man. I just got to stay active and I want to fight again."

As Ruiz Jr plans his next steps in rebuilding his career, Knyba expressed his ambition to enter the world title conversation, calling out current WBC heavyweight champion Agit Kabayel for a rematch after previously being knocked out by him earlier this year.