Andy Ruiz Jr. vs. Chris Arreola: Odds, Picks, Start Time & Fight Prediction

Andy Ruiz Jr. vs. Chris Arreola: Odds, Picks, Start Time & Fight Prediction

Andy Ruiz Jr.’s recent boxing career could be best described as a roller coaster ride and the former heavyweight champion of the world is looking to find more consistency as he returns to the ring for the first time in over a year to fight Chris Arreola.

Ruiz vs. Arreola is set to get underway on Saturday, May 1st at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California.

Andy Ruiz Jr. vs. Chris Arreola Picks & Predictions

Andy Ruiz Jr. is best known for delivering one of the most shocking upsets in recent boxing history when he won by 7th-round TKO over then-unbeaten Anthony Joshua. Ruiz was on top of the boxing world and rose to stardom overnight, but he let it go to his head.

Ruiz showed up to his rematch with Joshua in incredibly poor shape, weighing in at a whopping 283 pounds and getting demolished by Joshua for 12 rounds. He lost his belts and people chalked up his first win over Joshua to a fluke.

Now, Ruiz is back and ready to take on Chris Arreola to start his quest back to the top of the heavyweight division. And, by all accounts, he’s taking it incredibly seriously.

Ruiz showed up to the Ruiz vs. Arreola weigh-in on Friday in the best shape of his fighting career. He weighed 256 pounds, almost 30 pounds lighter than Ruiz vs. Joshua II and 12 pounds lighter than Ruiz vs. Joshua I.

Arreola also comes into this fight after making a commitment to getting into shape. Arreola weighed in at a career-low 228.5 pounds on Friday.

So, what are the best Ruiz vs. Arreola picks?

Ruiz has started training with Eddy Reynoso, the same Eddy Reynoso that is credited with making Canelo Alvarez the fighter he is today. Reynoso is known for being a defensive master. Not only will we see a more active Ruiz thanks to his weight loss, but we should also see one that is much harder to hit.

Ruiz has always had naturally talented hands. He throws quick, punishing punches but how will the weight loss impact his power?

As for Arreola, I have the same question. Arreola is a punishing power puncher. 33 of his 38 wins have come via KO or TKO. But, as we mentioned earlier, this is the lightest he’s ever been.

I fully expect Andy Ruiz Jr. to beat Chris Arreola, but there isn’t much value in picking him outright. Ruiz is around -3000, so that price is out the window. I’m going off the beaten path a bit here and taking this fight to go the distance at +334.

Not only are both these fighters competing way lighter than they have in the past, but the addition of Reynoso to Ruiz’s training staff is sure to make him a much better defensive fighter. In his first fight in 17 months, I expect Andy Ruiz to come out slow and look to get his feet under him.

Andy Ruiz Jr. vs. Chris Arreola Expert Picks

Fight to go the distance @ +334 (Click to bet)

Andy Ruiz Jr. vs. Chris Arreola Odds

How to Watch Ruiz vs. Arreola

Saturday's Ruiz vs. Arreola fight can be watched through FOX PPV via your local cable provider. Or, you can stream Ruiz vs. Arreola on the FOX Sports app  and watch via your tablet, smartphone or streaming service.

What Time Does Ruiz vs. Arreola Start?

Ruiz vs. Arreola main card is scheduled to start at 9:00 PM ET with the main event likely to get underway around midnight ET.

Ruiz vs. Arreola Promo

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