The former trainer of unified heavyweight world champion Andy Ruiz (35-2, 22KOs) has urged the Mexican to return to get among the mix in the lucrative world of heavyweight boxing in Saudi Arabia. 

Manny Robles was the mastermind behind Ruiz Jr.’s finest hour in June 2019. On short notice, Ruiz sensationally upended Anthony Joshua (28-3, 25KOs) in seven rounds at Madison Square Garden in New York and held three of the four major belts at heavyweight. 

Ruiz’s current ongoing issues stem from the success he achieved in New York, celebrating for too long and not focusing on his career in the ring, which resulted in Ruiz losing his titles to Joshua the following December courtesy of a one-sided points defeat to the Briton in an obligated rematch. 

Inactivity has plagued Ruiz following his December 2019 defeat to Joshua, which was further impacted by the outbreak of the pandemic the following year. Personal issues have also rocked Ruiz, regarding his mental health and separation from his wife. 

Since his defeat to Joshua, Ruiz has fought just twice, with wins coming against Chris Arreola (2021) and Luis Ortiz in an eliminator for the WBC world heavyweight title in September 2022. 

The WBC ordered a final eliminator between Ruiz and Deontay Wilder (43-3-1, 42 KOs) to ultimately decide the sanctioning body’s mandatory challenger for titleholder Tyson Fury (34-0-1, 24 KOs), but Ruiz and Wilder could not agree upon a deal. 

Robles and Ruiz parted ways after the rematch defeat to Joshua. Despite the split, Robles, in a recent interview with talkSPORT, urged Ruiz to return to the sport and attempt to fight into contention for significant money-fight in Saudi Arabia.

However, Robles admits that he has not spoken to or seen Andy in years following their separation. 

“I think he would fight in this Saudi Arabia world title mix,” Robles told Talksport. “But where is Andy? That is the question. I haven’t spoken to him or seen him in years. I have no idea what Andy is up to, in all honesty.

“He should come back and take advantage of this opportunity that has been given to all the heavyweight fighters.

“The opportunity to fight in Saudi Arabia and get in the mix, [with] all these great heavyweight champions fighting each other.”

“A loss should not determine a fighter’s career; I don’t think he should be judged by that defeat.”