In 2019, Andy Ruiz Jr. achieved a historic milestone in professional boxing by defeating the undefeated Anthony Joshua at Madison Square Garden. Entering the bout as an 11-1 underdog on short notice, Ruiz overcame a third-round knockdown to stop Joshua, securing the world heavyweight championship. This victory earned him the moniker "the Mexican Rocky" and brought significant attention to his background in Imperial, California.

As Ruiz approaches age 36, discussions regarding his career have shifted toward the possibility of a resurgence. While his initial title win is widely regarded as one of the most significant upsets in the sport's history, his subsequent career has been marked by periods of inactivity and fluctuating performance. The current narrative surrounding Ruiz focuses on whether he can recapture the form that allowed him to dismantle Joshua, or if his legacy will remain defined by that singular, transformative night in New York. While the historical facts of the 2019 fight are undisputed, the outlook on his current viability as a top-tier heavyweight remains a subject of debate among boxing analysts, with some questioning his discipline and others highlighting his natural punching ability.