Former heavyweight champion Andy Ruiz confirmed his interest in working under 2019 Trainer of the Year Eddy Reynoso, whose fighters include four-division title holder Canelo Alvarez, as he looks to revitalize his career.
Ruiz, who pulled off a surprising knockout of Anthony Joshua in June only to lose the WBA, IBF and WBO titles in December’s rematch, told WBA president Gilberto Mendoza via Instagram Live that joining Reynoso would be good for his career.
“We’re talking with Canelo’s team; I think that would be a good one for me to join if we go that way,” Ruiz said. “Right now there hasn’t been any contact, but I would like to go over there with Canelo.”
Reynoso established his boxing camp in San Diego and his team also includes fighters like Oscar Valdez and Ryan Garcia. He told ESPN a few days ago that he would be up for the task of training Ruiz.
“We’re ready to work with any fighter,” Reynoso said. “It would also be an honor to work with the first heavyweight champion of Mexican descent.”
Sources told ESPN that the two sides have made initial contact, but further talks were halted given the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic.
Mendoza told Ruiz that he would sanction his next fight if he were to contend for a title against a top-five heavyweight, a list which includes Trevor Bryan, Deontay Wilder, Oleksandr Usyk or Luis Ortiz. However, Ruiz responded that he wanted a bout under his belt before facing Ortiz, then potentially to fight Tyson Fury, Wilder or Joshua for a title.
Ruiz was widely panned for coming in overweight heading into the rematch with Joshua and admitted he didn’t prepare well. However, the 30-year-old California native said the loss allowed him to discover the things he was doing right and wrong.