Ruiz vs Ortiz takes place on September 4 at Los Angeles’ Crypto.com Arena. FITETV will showcase the PPV event in the US and Canada (and more international territories to be announced soon). Order the event now on FITE.
Ruiz – Ortiz will top the stacked pay-per-view TV show starting at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT.
ANDY RUIZ JR.
“I am feeling very good. The hard work has paid off and now it’s time to have fun on September 4th. We’ll show it all in the ring. Me and Ortiz are going to be champions, so you know it’s going to be a hell of a fight.
“I was just ready. I had a long training camp. I know what Ortiz is bringing to the ring and I know what I’m capable of. I just need to focus and execute.
“When I try to go to the knockouts, it usually doesn’t go my way. I’m training for 12 rounds and if the knockout comes, it will. You’d better believe that I’m qualified to train hard for all 12 rounds.
“I trained hard because we wanted to get back on the weight ladder. That’s why we chose a tough guy like Luis Ortiz. He has a tough style, but I am optimistic and confident that I will win this match on September 4th.
“There will be a frenzied atmosphere in that arena. All the Mexican fans will be there to support, and maybe the best fit will win. I’m glad Ortiz predicted the knockout, because I’m ready for anything. My only prediction is that I will win.
“The game against Deontay Wilder is going to be a great match. The heavyweight division is wide open, but I’m not ignoring Luis Ortiz. If Wilder is next, he will be next. It was an easy fight to make.
“I feel like I’m in a good state of mind. I’m doing everything I have to do. I underestimated my final opponent, but I’m really focused on what Luis Ortiz has to offer. This is another chapter for me and my career.
“Ortiz’s age doesn’t matter, especially at heavyweight. Because one punch changes the whole fight. I just have to be smart and explosive and turn it on when I need to.
“My team all have the same game plan. We want to be champions and we want to make history. The way you do that is to prep yourself right at the gym.
“I want to make the most of every moment that I have in boxing. Especially for these big fights, because I want to be successful and make the most of my career. “
ALFREDO OSUNA, Coach of Ruiz
“We knew we were only a few days away from the battle and it was a completely different feeling than where we started. We’re ready to take on Luis Ortiz and give every fan the battle they want to see on September 4th.
“Andy is in optimal form. He couldn’t have done any better. The best thing about this boot camp is that he is always as fun, disciplined and dedicated as he has ever been.
“We know that Luis Ortiz is a dangerous opponent who deserves the respect of all of us. But he’s not only had those two losses, they’re both by knockout and that’s what we’re aiming for.
“(Luis Ortiz coach) Herman Caicedo can say whatever he wants about me and Andy’s chemistry. I’ve been suspected before and proven people wrong. If he says I don’t have enough experience with Andy, he’ll get an open invitation to come work with us and we’ll show him our vibe for Team Ruiz.
“There is a very high percentage chance that this fight ends in a knockout. We’re prepared for everything, but we’ll see what happens on September 4th.
“My message to the fans is it’s coming out on September 4th, because it’s going to be a fight. This is the kind of fight that people love to watch.”
ANTHONY GARNICA
“So lucky to be a part of Team Ruiz. It was a dream for me to be in this situation. This fight is another stepping stone in my career and I have to show. Fans will get to witness a strong, agile and elusive fighter in the ring.
“I worked hard for this fight. This is the biggest venue I’ve fought in. I’m working hard to be on the same level as Andy Ruiz Jr.. It’s motivating to be around him and see what it takes. “
LUIS ORTIZ
“I feel very good both physically and mentally. I’m looking forward to this game and you won’t want to miss it when we get into that round.
“After fighting Charles Martin, I went back to the gym a week later. Fighting or not, I’m always proactive and always ready.
“I have a lot of respect for Deontay Wilder and I appreciate him picking me in this game. My intention is to take down Andy Ruiz. One of us was eliminated and I can guarantee that this will not go to the judges.
“I studied Andy from top to bottom. If I don’t knock you down with one punch, then I’ll kill you until you can’t walk anymore.
“Training camp is coming to an end and it’s been exciting. We were just waiting for the camp to end and the night of fighting to begin. My goal is always the same and it doesn’t change. I’m trying to do whatever it takes to beat my opponent.
“Every training camp is different and we have adjusted now just like we have done in the past. We’ll show those tweaks and improvements as the fight progresses.
“I just focus on myself and do my job. What’s going to trouble Ruiz in there is me, no matter what style I’m using.
“I always try to get to the top of the mountain. I want the top prize. This is a very important fight for me, but so is every battle. It all brought me closer to another world championship title.
“It’s all about training, training and training more. I feel better now than when I was 25. “
RA’EESE ALEEM
“This is a very big war. I am very excited. It will be the power fight on a big card. I’m fighting for number one again and I can’t wait. I’m going to join a show, be the best version of myself, and make it all happen.
“I want to fight all the top fighters in the division. My ultimate goal is to be world champion and I have to beat the top guys to get there. Me and Plania both have a lot of momentum right now and that makes it a great fight.
“I am an interesting fighter and I throw punches in bursts and move forward. I don’t hold and I don’t run. He said he wants to play foot by foot, so it will be a great fight for the fans.
“This has the potential to be the fight of the night and I believe it will be. We both bring our A game. This is a fight everyone should watch and I can’t wait.
“I followed my dreams and just tried to make things happen. Plania is an extremely tough fighter who has faced some top guys. I believe that if I am the best version of myself, I will not only be able to win, but also dominate the war.
“Every training camp is the same, you just tweak some things or tighten some things up. Grinding is grinding and non-stop.
“I love doing an action fight. It’s just the beast in me. I don’t care if I get on the scoreboard in the final, I’m trying to get him out of there. I don’t want a chance with the judges. I have to be smart against a good boxer, but I’m definitely working to get inside.
“I take care of my body. I do what champions have to do to be the best I can be. I feel like I’m at my peak and still getting better. You are always growing in this sport and I believe the best is yet to come.
“My ultimate goal is to be the man to fight for a world title. I want the fight for the next world championship no matter who it is against. Stephen Fulton is an accomplished martial artist and a strong technical fighter. He got those belts and it’s my job to get them out of his hands. “
HERMAN CAICEDO, Coach of Ortiz
“Ortiz has even more focus and more lasers, and that says a lot. He is always available and puts 100% of his heart into everything we do. He never leaves the gym and I have to tell him to take it slow.
“The level of focus he shows is testament to who he is and what he believes in. I am very happy with what he is doing in this camp.
“Not only is he more motivated, but he is superior to what we do in the gym. He’s also very strong mentally and I think that’s his biggest trait. That’s why he’s still here at this age.
“What I do know is that Luis and I trust each other in what we are doing. I don’t know how much chemistry Ruiz and his corner have at this point, so if things get tough, will he trust his corner? I know that my corner will do it and I will trust him.
“Ultimately, it will depend on skill, dedication, people who have worked hard and who want it more.”
BOBBY MCROY, Coach of Aleem
“Mike Plania is the image of our previous competitors. People don’t really realize how polished he is, but he wants to fight. He definitely wants to move on, but we’ll get him back.
“We follow the flow of the war. We make our own wars. We dictate what happens in the ring. That’s what the generals of the ring are.
“I don’t mind that sometimes Ra’eese likes to gamble in the ring, you just have to gamble smart. He has the fighting courage inside, but you still have the responsibility to defend.
“We wanted to send a chilling message that Aleem is number one at 122. We’re going to put on a show and make a big statement. We are telling the champions that in the end you have to fight us. “
