It only took Andy Ruiz Jr. a split second to remind the boxing world of his potential for danger.
Ruiz briefly caught Luis Ortiz off guard before unleashing a powerful overhand right that resulted in the first of three knockdowns that helped him win the fight on a unanimous decision on Sunday night, live on pay-per-view.
The judges at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles gave Ruiz victories with scores of 113-112, 114-111, and 114-111.
Ruiz's fast hands proved to be too much for the 43-year-old Ortiz, who was battling age but not giving up.
Ruiz moves one step closer to a crack at the world championship because the contest was an eliminator for the WBC heavyweight title.
"Man, I'm ready. I'm starving, "Ruiz stated in the ring at the post-fight press conference.
In the second round, Ruiz got the advantage by dropping Ortiz with a crushing overhand right that forced "King Kong" to his knees.
That second knockdown should have been classified as a push even if it was knocked down.