Andy Ruiz Jr officially teams up with trainer Eddy Reynoso

After revealing mutual interest in a partnership late last month, former unified heavyweight champion Andy Ruiz Jr. and 2019 Trainer of the Year Eddy Reynoso have officially joined forces. Mike Coppinger reports that it is a one-fight deal.

Ruiz (33-2, 22 KO) turned the heavyweight division on its head last June by knocking out Anthony Joshua, only to gain over 15 pounds ahead of the rematch and turn in a listless, losing performance in Diriyah. This past January, “The Destroyer” fired trainer Manny Robles, who claimed that nobody could “control” Ruiz during their training camp and cast some blame on manager Ruiz Sr.

Reynoso is among the most well-credentialed trainers in the sport right now, boasting a stable that includes Canelo Alvarez, flyweight champ Julio Cesar Martinez, former featherweight champ Oscar Valdez, former bantamweight champ Luis Nery, and lightweight prospect Ryan Garcia. If anyone can mold Ruiz back into a champion, it’s Reynoso, but Ruiz will have to put in the work if he doesn’t want to be remembered as Buster Douglas 2.0.

Let’s crowdsource some predictions. Will Reynoso get the infamously fluffy Ruiz in the shape of his life, or will Ruiz squander a golden opportunity?