Andy Ruiz Jr vs Chris Arreola LIVE RESULTS: Ruiz survives KNOCKDOWN as mass brawl erupts in crowd
ANDY RUIZ JR survived a knock down in the second round of his boxing comeback to defeat Chris Arreola in Los Angeles.
It was Ruiz Jr's first fight since his loss to Anthony Joshua in December 2019, and he outboxed his fellow Mexican-American to get himself back in the world title picture.
And while the fight was going on, a mass brawl broke out in the stands during the fourth round at the Dignity Health Sports Park in California.
Follow ALL of the latest updates from LA below...
FUNDORA VS COTA
Now it's time for a WBC super welterweight world title eliminator bout between Sebastian Fundora and Jorge Cota!
Fundora is 23-years-old, standing a 6"6 with an 80" reach.
Cota is just 5"11 with a reach of 73", seven inches short of his opponent Fundora.
RAMOS JR VS MOLINA – RAMOS JR WINS
Ramos Jr wins by unanimous decision!
It was a dominating display by the 20-year-old and he's going places for sure.
He said he wants to be world champion by 21, and he certainly has the tools to do it.
Ramos Jr also mentioned moving up a weight class or two...... and it makes sense, he's built incredibly well and he used his size to shut off angles of attack.
RAMOS JR VS MOLINA – ROUND TEN
Molina is showing some fight in the final round, landing a good combination of body shots.
But Ramos Jr stands unaffected by Molina's late flurry of punches.
The 20-year-old is in line for his biggest victory to date - he's going places, remember the name.
It's going to the judges scorecards, but I can tell you now who the winner is: Ramos Jr.
RAMOS JR VS MOLINA – ROUND NINE
Molina is controlling the middle of the ring in round nine, something he should have tried to do earlier.
Ramos Jr still comfortable in the fight and looks set to win the ten round bout.
It's heading into the 10th and final round!
RAMOS JR VS MOLINA – ROUND EIGHT
Under 60 seconds left in round eight and neither fighter has landed any significant strikes.
Ramos Jr seems to be trying to conserve some energy for the final two rounds.
If it goes the full distance, the 20-year-old will be the victor.
RAMOS JR VS MOLINA – ROUND SEVEN
It's been one-way traffic, Ramos Jr is well and truly in control of the fight.
Bodyshot after bodyshot....... the 20-year-old is going for the finish, but will he get it in round seven?
Molina has a heck of a chin and body to withstand the bombs Ramos Jr is throwing!
The referee takes a point off Molina for a punch to the back of the head - the crowd boos.
RAMOS JR VS MOLINA – ROUND SIX
Ramos Jr unloads more bodyshots...... Molina is hurt but is somehow holding on.
Fantastic fight between the two Mexicans.
Ramos Jr lands a nice one-two but the bell saves Molina.
RAMOS JR VS MOLINA – ROUND FIVE
We're in round five - halfway through the fight - and it's Ramos Jr's fight to lose.
The 20-year-olds defence has been fantastic, and once he's soaked up some pressure he unloads with an explosive right hand.
With a minute left to go, Ramos Jr feeds Molina two body shots followed by an uppercut.
RAMOS JR VS MOLINA – ROUND FOUR
We're into round four of ten.
Ramos Jr is picking it up and forcing Molina back towards the ropes.
The bodyshots are starting to create openings up above, and the 20-year-old is capitalising.
Ramos Jr is picking his shots and going to work on the 31-year-old.
RAMOS JR VS MOLINA – ROUND THREE
Molina hasn't been knocked out, but he's up against a kid with a 93% knockout success rate.
Ramos Jr's body positioning is making it hard for Molina to move around.
It's mentally and physically draining for Molina, who should really be doing better.
The 20-year-old lands some shots to Molina's body to create an opening for an uppercut which he executes!
But the round ends and Molina survives another round.
RAMOS JR VS MOLINA – ROUND TWO
"I want you to box, box, box," says Ramos Jr's trainer - "I want you to go all over," he continues.
Ramos Jr catches Molina with a counter-punch and the latter almost takes a tumble.
But the referee deems it a trip, not a knockdown.
Ramos Jr throws a straight left and it lands significantly, the crowd reacts to the punch.
And the 20-year-old is positioning his body to make it difficult for Molina to move either side.
RAMOS JR VS MOLINA - ROUND ONE
Ten rounds of boxing in this welterweight bout.
Jesus Ramos Jr, as mentioned before, is an up and coming fighter and he's just 20-years-old.
Ramos Jr in the interview with Flores said he wants to be a world champion by 21…… the world is your oyster, sir.
Both fighters trade punches in the middle of the ring, but neither land anything significant.
RAMOS JR VS MOLINA
FINALLY!
Up next is Jesus Alejandro Ramos Jr vs Javier Molina!
Ramos Jr is an unbeaten welterweight prospect at the tender age of 20.
The southpaw has a perfect professional record of 15 wins no losses, 14 of those ending in KOs.
That’s a 93.33% knockout rate!
You may remember Molina from the Tyson Fury vs Deontay Wilder 2 undercard when he fought and beat Amir Imam.
UNDERDOG
Relive Andy Ruiz Jr's journey to the top of the heavyweight mountain!
He made history at Madison Square Garden back in 2019, defeating then undefeated Anthony Joshua.
EDDY REYNOSO, RUIZ's TRAINER
Whilst we wait for the boxing to get back underway, here's what Andy Ruiz Jr's new trainer Eddy Reynoso had to say (we suspect the early knockouts have left holes): "Andy has given so much time and has been so dedicated to his work inside the gym.
"We’re excited for May 1. He is motivated and learning a lot every day.
“We know that on May 1, we’re going to be dealing with an aggressive fighter who is going to bring his best.
";Andy is excited about the challenge that Arreola presents.
“May 1 is going to be the second beginning of Andy’s career. This is the start of his pursuit to become champion again.
"We respect Arreola, but we’re going to go in there to get the job done on May 1.
“Andy is strong, and he has a tremendous focus. I have to congratulate Andy on his effort and dedication so far.
"I do believe that on May 1, everyone is going to see a much different and improved Andy Ruiz Jr.
“I talked with Andy and his entire team, and they gave us the confidence that Andy would work hard.
"He’s done exactly that. The focus is for him to become a world champion once again.
"There are a lot of great fighters at heavyweight, but we all believe that with this hard work, Andy is going to show who he really is.”
RAMOS JR VS MOLINA
Up next is Jesus Alejandro Ramos Jr vs Javier Molina!
Ramos Jr is an unbeaten welterweight prospect at the tender age of 20.
The southpaw has a perfect professional record of 15 wins no losses, 14 of those ending in KOs.
That's a 93.33% knockout rate!
You may remember Molina from the Tyson Fury vs Deontay Wilder 2 undercard when he fought and beat Amir Imam.
We're being treated to a rather lengthy interview conducted by ring announcer and host, Ray Flores, with Ramos Jr.......... standby.
ARREOLA PRE-FIGHT TALK
Here's what Chris Arreola had to say ahead of tonight's fight with Andy Ruiz Jr: "This is a fight that I’ve seen coming since the first time I ever sparred Andy.
"Back then, he was just a pudgy kid, and I thought nothing of him until he threw those hands.
"Those hands were fast and lethal. I knew at that point that one day this fight would come.
"I’ve been ready for this fight for a while.
"At one point, he wanted to be like me, and now I want to be like him and become a heavyweight champion.
"He deserved everything he got, and now it’s my time to do everything to change history and prove I’m an elite heavyweight.
“I’ve been giving it my all in training, but we’re going to keep working.
"I’m excited for May 1 because this is definitely going to be a rock ‘em sock ‘em type of fight.”
Credit: GETTY IMAGES MOLINA VS MARQUEZ – MOLINA WINS
The judges have scored it: 60-53 all in Molina's favour!
18-year-old Molina wins his sixth professional fight and remains undefeated!
It wasn't a perfect fight - but he got the job done.
Marquez was constantly landing overhand lefts, so that's something Molina will have to work on.
MOLINA VS MARQUEZ – ROUND SIX
We're into the 6th and final round and both fighters have put on a good show for the crowd!
Molina is landing some nice one-twos, but Marquez comes right back at him with some overhand lefts.
Explosive final ten seconds as the pair trade blows!
But the bell brings an end to the fight and it's going to the judges scorecards.
MOLINA VS MARQUEZ – ROUND FIVE
Molina starts the 5th round strong and catches Marquez with a plush uppercut.
Both fighters have earned the respect of the fans, Marquez especially.
They know Molina will most likely win, but Marquez is putting on a real show, landing some good shots.
The referee docks a point from Marquez for landing a punch to the back of Molina's head.
Marquez boos alongside the crowd.
MOLINA VS MARQUEZ – ROUND FOUR
"I need you to work, come on man," says Molina's coach - his corner are not happy with him being caught so easily.
The 18-year-old has let his concentration slip, allowing Marquez to find a way back into the fight.
Marquez lands another overhand left, but Molina manages to stay on his feet.
Molina keeps his distance for the rest of the round.
MOLINA VS MARQUEZ – ROUND THREE
"Use your jab more, use your jab more," says Molina's corner as he comes out for round three.
But Marquez catches Molina with two strong right hands.
Molina unfazed with been hit bounces back and the pair slug it out.
Marquez hits Molina again with another BIG left hook and looks to finish the fight - but the 18-year-old stays in the fight.
MOLINA VS MARQUEZ – ROUND TWO
Molina is sharp at the start of the second round, he looks two steps ahead of his opponent.
The teenager hits Marquez with an uppercut and somehow the latter is still standing!
Heading into the final minute and Molina lets his guard down.
And Marquez catches Molina with a left hook - but the teenager shakes it off.
MOLINA VS MARQUEZ - ROUND ONE
Molina, 18, is unloading on Marquez with a series of heavy right hands - amazing start.
Marquez is struggling to stay in the fight and this fight could finish early like the previous two!
The 18-year-old is keeping Marquez at range and teeing off at every given opportunity.
MOLINA VS MARQUEZ
Molina is just 18-years-old and he's up against Marquez next!