Andy Ruiz Jr. expected to fight Jarrell Miller on August 3

Former world champ Andy Ruiz Jr. expected back in the ring this August

Former unified world heavyweight champion Andy Ruiz is expected to return to the ring on August 3, after an extended spell of inactivity, due to take on 'Big Baby' Jarrell Miller.

Ruiz famously knocked out then-unbeaten Anthony Joshua in 2019 in what was one of heavyweight boxing’s greatest ever upsets, becoming the first ever Mexican world heavyweight champion, before conceding the belts in an instant rematch with ‘AJ’ just six months on.

Astonishingly, Ruiz has fought just twice since that December defeat in Saudi Arabia, outpointing Chris Arreola and Luis Ortiz in 2021 and 2022, respectively, going without a fight in both 2020 and 2023.

The hiatus is partly due to ‘The Destroyer’ enduring a difficult time with injuries, the most recent of which a torn rotator cuff that required surgery on his shoulder, leaving him a forgotten man in a division that is booming once more.

However, the 34-year-old Californian is reportedly rocketing his way back into the mix with a big fight lined up this summer against loud-mouth American Jarrell Miller, who lost his undefeated to record to Daniel Dubois on the ‘Day of Reckoning’ card last December.

Boxing Scene reported: "Ruiz’s Aug. 3 opponent is reportedly former contender Jarrell "Big Baby" Miller (26-1-1, 22 KOs), who showed up very overweight for his Dec. 23 loss to Daniel Dubois in Saudi Arabia, meaning these two notoriously heavy men may combine to weigh more than 600lbs on fight night."

Pro Boxing Fans later tweeted the news reporting that the fight between Ruiz and Miller was a "done deal" for August 3.

ESPN’s Salvador Rodriguez has revealed that the fight will make up part of the Crawford-Madrimov undercard, accompanied by a first super-lightweight title defence for Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz, who is expected to take on Jose ‘Rayo’ Valenzuela on the same bill, that will go ahead on August 3 at the BMO Stadium in Los Angeles.