Los Angeles, CA, USA (August 3, 2024) - In a highly anticipated clash at BMO Stadium, Los Angeles, former unified heavyweight world champion Andy Ruiz Jr. and contender Jarrell ‘Big Baby’ Miller battled to a majority draw. The bout marked Ruiz’s return to the ring after nearly two years, while Miller looked to reestablish himself as a heavyweight contender.

The fight started cautiously, with both fighters feeling each other out in the opening rounds. It wasn't until the final 10 seconds of the first round that Ruiz, known for his hand speed and power, landed a stiff combination that set the tone for the rest of the bout. Ruiz continued to show flashes of brilliance in the second round, throwing a mix of shots that demonstrated his speed and technical prowess.

Miller, who had been absorbing most of the shots in the early rounds, began to find his rhythm in the third. He landed some solid counters that put Ruiz on the back foot. The fifth round was particularly telling, as Miller walked Ruiz down, landing powerful shots that appeared to shake 'The Destroyer.'

By the end of the fifth, Ruiz seemed to be in trouble, heading to his corner on wobbly legs. Miller's confidence grew as he continued to press the attack, showing a level of determination and resilience that many had doubted.

The seventh round saw a visibly fatigued Ruiz struggling to keep up with Miller's pressure. Despite this, Miller himself slowed down in the eighth and ninth rounds, likely preserving energy for the final push. His activity picked up slightly in the tenth, but it was clear both fighters were digging deep.

The final two rounds were hard-fought, with Ruiz mustering all his remaining strength to mount a comeback. His efforts to secure a late victory were valiant, but the judges ultimately saw the bout as too close to call. The official scores were 116-112 for Miller, and two scores of 114-114, resulting in a split draw.

Ruiz, who showed an injured right hand after the fight, was visibly disappointed. “I felt like I did enough to win,” he said. “But my hand was bothering me, and I couldn’t throw as many power shots as I wanted.”

Miller, on the other hand, was buoyant. “I wanted to punish him, and I think I did enough to show that I’m back,” Miller said. “This draw feels like a win for me because nobody thought I could hang with Ruiz. I proved them wrong tonight.”

For Ruiz, the draw is a significant setback. He was aiming to reclaim his status as a top contender but now faces more questions about his future, especially given his hand injury. Miller, however, receives a boost from the draw, proving that he can compete with elite fighters in the heavyweight division.