Knyba used his 12-inch reach advantage and timely aggression to score a unanimous decision over the former IBF, WBA, and WBO heavyweight champion in the main event at Prudential Center.

Judge Tony Lundy had it 117-110, while judges Glenn Feldman and Kevin Morgan had it 114-113, all in favor of Knyba.

“I used my physical attributes, my reach, my movement,” Knyba said in the post-fight interview. “Andy is a great fighter and it was an honor to share the ring with him. I wish him nothing but the best.”

Ruiz (35-3-1, 22 KOs) was fighting for the first time since having surgery on his right hand following a majority draw against Jarrell Miller in August 2024.

Knyba, who was stopped in the third round by WBC beltholder Agit Kabayel in January, refused to take chances until the time was right. That moment came in the seventh with an awkward right hand that rocked Ruiz. He quickly followed that up with a barrage of punches as Ruiz flailed around the ring until he eventually hit the canvas.

Knyba (18-1, 11 KOs) rushed him once he beat the eight count — and Ruiz was given an atypically long time to recover before the referee restarted the action — for the finish. However, with less than 10 seconds remaining, Ruiz was saved by the bell.

Knyba came out strong in the eighth, but Ruiz refused to go down again. After weathering an early storm, the Imperial, California, native ducked low and fired a picture-perfect right hand to stun Knyba.

It was a grab-fest for Knyba as he managed to escape. Ruiz, though, took that momentum into the ninth by bludgeoning the 6-foot-7 giant’s body.

In the first few rounds, Knyba jabbed, moved and refused to exchange. And while it wasn't the most crowd-pleasing way to go about his work, it was effective. In the championship rounds, Knyba went back to his safety-first approach and Ruiz had no answers as he had bad swelling under both eyes, especially the left.

Knyba jabbed Ruiz when he moved inside and used his legs to cruise to a decision that was surprisingly close on two of the scorecards.

Now that he’s back in the win column, Knyba wants revenge against the only opponent to beat him.

“This feeling is so amazing,” said Knyba, who lost in January for what was then the WBC interim heavyweight championship. “I really want a rematch with Kabayel.”

The WBC elevated Kabayel to full champion.