Former unified heavyweight champion Andy Ruiz Jr. has openly welcomed a challenge from Misfits boxing titleholder Chase DeMoor, describing a potential crossover fight as an “easy money” opportunity to regain public attention. DeMoor gained prominence for his boxing victory over controversial influencer Andrew Tate.
Andy Ruiz Considers “Easy Money” Match with Chase DeMoor
Known as “The Destroyer,” Andy Ruiz Jr. is a Mexican-American heavyweight boxer celebrated for his shocking upset win against Anthony Joshua in June 2019 at Madison Square Garden. Entering as a significant underdog, Ruiz knocked Joshua down four times, securing a seventh-round stoppage and unifying the WBA, IBF, WBO, and IBO heavyweight titles, thus becoming the first fighter of Mexican heritage to achieve this feat.
Chase DeMoor followed a different path to fame, initially building his audience through American football and reality television, notably Netflix’s “Too Hot To Handle” in 2021. He later transitioned into the burgeoning influencer boxing scene, where he claimed the Misfits heavyweight title in November 2024.
Ruiz confirmed DeMoor’s public challenge, stating his openness to the fight under suitable terms. He described the potential bout as “easy money” and a “good comeback fight.” While he acknowledged that a victory over an influencer champion wouldn’t hold the same weight with traditional boxing fans as beating a top-ranked contender, Ruiz views it as a lucrative, low-risk opportunity to re-engage a new, younger audience and secure significant financial gain. He even joked about buying “another house with that.” He also extended congratulations to DeMoor for his win over Andrew Tate.
Despite respecting DeMoor’s recent success and the buzz around Misfits Boxing, Ruiz doesn’t believe a win over an influencer champion would impress hardcore boxing fans in the same way a victory over a top-ten contender would. Nevertheless, he sees DeMoor as a profitable, low-risk option that could introduce him to a fresh, younger demographic and help fund further investments.
Reflecting on Influencer Boxing and the Viral Sparring Clip
Ruiz’s perspective on the influencer boxing trend has been partly shaped by a viral sparring session he had with streamer and influencer boxer Oblivion. In that widely shared clip, Ruiz playfully dominated the much smaller opponent, eventually dropping him with an uppercut that left Oblivion on the canvas complaining about his jaw and briefly blacking out.
Ruiz frames this incident as humorous and a means to connect with a broader audience rather than a serious demonstration of boxing skill disparities. He expressed that he enjoys such interactions, stating, “I think it’s fun to get people to know who Andy Ruiz is because I’ve been stuck under a rock like Patrick Star in SpongeBob… Influencers boxing doesn’t bother me. I mean, if they want to get in there and throw hands, I think it’s okay.”
Ultimately, Ruiz sees merit in collaborating with influencers, appreciating their extensive reach. For DeMoor, a fight against Ruiz would represent a significant challenge and a fast track to legitimacy in the boxing world. For Ruiz, it stands as a confident pathway to a lucrative crossover payday, which he is sure will be “easy money.”
