Former unified heavyweight champion Andy “The Destroyer” Ruiz Jr. will face a very tough task when he takes on top contender Luis “King Kong” Ortiz in a WBC title eliminator on September 4 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. The fight will be carried by Fox Sports Pay-Per-View.

Ruiz (34-2, 22 KOs) shocked the boxing world in 2019 when he was brought in as a late replacement to face heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua and knocked him out in the seventh round after scoring four knockdowns at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

The 32-year-old from Imperial, California lost his rematch with Joshua by unanimous decision, but returned to the ring in May 2021, bouncing back from an early knockdown to defeat all-action contender Chris Arreola by unanimous decision.

The bout against Ortiz is a do or die showdown for his career.

“I’m so excited to get back in the ring in front of all of my fans in Los Angeles on September 4,” said Ruiz. “This is my chance to prove to everyone that I’m going to be heavyweight champion of the world again. I’m super motivated to be facing a great fighter like Luis Ortiz, so my fans can expect to see me at my best. Everyone has wanted to see this fight and we’re going to give everyone a war on fight night.”

Ortiz (33-2, 28 KOs) has two defeats on his record, both by knockout, at the hands of then world champion Deontay Wilder. The Cuban banger was in action back in January, when he recovered from two knockdowns to blast out Charles Martin in the sixth round.

“I’m blessed to be back in a position to get closer to achieving my goal of becoming the first heavyweight champion of the world from Cuba,” said Ortiz.

“Anyone who doubts me, has only fueled me to keep going. I know that I have to make a big statement in this fight, and that’s my plan on September 4. I respect Andy Ruiz, but he’s standing in my way and I’m going to do whatever it takes to go through him.”