How to watch Andy Ruiz Jr. vs Damian Knyba

Everything you need to know about Andy Ruiz Jr. vs Damian Knyba

Former unified world champion Andy Ruiz Jr. (35-2-1 22 KOs) will be back in action after a two-year absence from the ring after signing with Matchroom Boxing in July and agreeing to fight "Polish Hussar" Damian Knyba (17-1 11 KOs).

All the details provided below.

Event Details

Date: Friday 4th September 2026

Venue: Prudential Center, Newark, America

Start Times: 10:35pm BST / 5:35pm ET

Main Event Ringwalks: 3am BST / 10pm ET (approx)

How to Watch

TV Channel: DAZN

Broadcast Time: 1am BST / 8pm ET

Fight Preview

Andy "The Destroyer" Ruiz Jr. penned a promotional deal with Eddie Hearn and Matchroom in July, and Mexico’s first ever Heavyweight king is ready to reignite his quest to become a two-time World champion.

The 36-year-old stunned the sporting world in June 2019 when he dethroned Anthony Joshua on a historic night in New York, and last tasted action in August 2024 in a back-and-forth majority draw with Jarrell Miller in Los Angeles, the third bout in a row in his home city following wins over Chris Arreola and Luis Ortiz.

Standing in the way of Ruiz Jr’s plans to get back to the summit of the Heavyweight division is Damian Knyba, with the Polish giant looking end ‘The Destroyer’s’ grand plans at the first hurdle. The 6ft 7in is looking to bounce back to winning ways at the first attempt after taking on newly anointed WBC champion Agit Kabayel for the interim title in Germany in January. Knyba fights at the Prudential Center for the fourth time in his career, and the 30-year-old can move into line for a World title crack with victory.

Quotes

Andy Ruiz Jr: “I’m going to be fighting in Newark, New Jersey on September 4 baby. After we get this victory, I would love to fight all the guys that have the belts the Oleksandr Usyk vacated and we’re going to become a two-time champion next year, let’s get it.”

Damian Knyba: “I can’t wait to be back at the Prudential Center, my second home. I’m excited to be back in the ring in front of the New Jersey and New York fans, and they will fill the seats with white and red.”

Undercard Highlights

Another new Matchroom signing Vito Mielnicki Jr. goes up against World Middleweight title challenger Austin ‘Ammo’ Williams.

Mielnicki Jr. (23-1 13 KOs) penned a deal with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom and Boxlab Promotions recently, and immediately steps into the biggest fight of his career to date on home turf. The 24-year-old made his pro debut at the Prudential Center in June 2019 when he was still in High School, and the Roseland, NJ native is looking to make strides in the 160lbs division by claiming a big win in his Matchroom bow.

For Williams (20-2 12 KOs) this must-win bout behind enemy lines represents a massive chance to get right back into the World title mix following a spirited performance in his first World title battle in Orlando in March, taking WBC champion Carlos Adames the distance.

Weights & Running Order

5:35pm First bell

6x2 Welterweight contest
BROOKE MULLEN (146.8lbs)
BRIA MILLER (146.8lbs)

4x3 Middleweight contest
JORDAN SIMPSON (157.3lbs)
MICHAEL MCDONALD (157.1lbs)

6x3 Middleweight contest
KAHSHAD ELLIOTT (159.2lbs)
JEAN PIERRE VALENCIA (159.1lbs)

8x3 Super-Bantamweight contest
DENNIS THOMPSON (122.5lbs)
JOSE CASILLAS (122.6lbs)

8pm DAZN & TNT

8x3 Lightweight contest
ZAQUIN MOSES (133lbs)
ANGEL CONTRERAS (132lbs)

10x3 WBO Latino & IBF International Lightweight titles
ALAN CHAVES (135lbs)
ERIDSON GARCIA (134.7lbs)

10x3 WBA Continental Americas & WBO Global Middleweight titles
VITO MIELNICKI JR. (160lbs)
AUSTIN WILLIAMS (159.8lbs)

10pm (approx) Main Event
12x3 Heavyweight contest
ANDY RUIZ JR. (254.3lbs)
DAMIAN KNYBA (255.5lbs)

Betting Odds

4/9 Ruiz Jr.

5/2 Knyba

16/1 Draw

Prediction

Tim Rickson, GBN Editor: "I predicted Andy Ruiz Jr. to defeat Anthony Joshua back in 2019. Just a little bit of research into him and it was evident to see how skilled he was. Starting boxing at the age of six with such an extensive amateur pedigree, he's got that fluidity and superb technique that the likes of Joshua can't ever attain after joining the sport so late.

"Since that second fight with AJ, where he turned up so overweight and underprepared, he's only fought three times in six years and has really wasted his talent. I was a big fan until his inactivity, ill discipline and reports of him pricing himself out of fights through greed and unrealistic demands.

"However, I still pick him to win this fight against Knyba, most likely on points, and I would love to see Ruiz back get at least one more big heavyweight fight. Would love to see the trilogy between a fit, prepared Ruiz Jr. and Joshua.

"Ruiz on points, potentially scoring a knockdown on the way."