Robles Comments on Split with Andy Ruiz
Trainer Manny Robles has opened up on the recent news that former unified heavyweight champion Andy Ruiz has parted ways with him.
“His father had told me after winning the titles that he was going to stay with me until the end, so when the news came I was surprised,” Robles said to ESPN Deportes. “But it’s not the first time someone told me that and then this happens…people change their mind, unfortunately, this is it, and it has nothing to do with boxing, it’s people, and you have to live with that.”
Robles trained Ruiz following Ruiz’s December 2016 controversial WBO heavyweight title fight loss to Joseph Parker. The veteran trainer helped Ruiz to three straight wins before Ruiz’s shocking upset over then-unbeaten Anthony Joshua inside New York’s Madison Square Garden to claim heavyweight gold.
In the December rematch, however, Ruiz, who had delayed his training camp to celebrate his upset win and lavish in a new spotlighted lifestyle, looked notably out-of-shape. He weighed in at a massive 283.5 pounds, the most he’s weighed in over a decade. Joshua easily outboxed Ruiz over 12 rounds in Saudi Arabia to reclaim the WBA (Super), IBF, WBO and IBO titles.
Earlier this week, Ruiz’s father informed Robles that his services were no longer needed.
“…After the fight, Andy took responsibility and let the world know that he didn’t have the discipline or the desire to stay [in the gym] and prepare for the fight,” Robles said. “He apologized both to me and to his dad, but it is surprising [that they let me go] because a lot of things were discussed as a team.”
“It’s no secret, that if he focuses and recovers the hunger… then he has the discipline, because Andy has to be a world champion again, he is a fighter that everyone now knows. I knew about his abilities, his technique, his punch and the stamina he has. He is still special, but he has to want it.
“For me, life goes on, I have my stable, on February 6 I have Oscar Negrete fighting with an Argentine in Indio, California, for a WBA belt, and I have Charles Martin who has an important fight in February, Terrell Gausha, Fabian Maidana, I have a good stable, young fighters who have been pushing and making a name for themselves.”
Original Story: Boxing Scene