What was supposed to be a fresh chapter in Andy Ruiz Jr.’s post-boxing career has ended before the oven was even preheated.
The former heavyweight world champion had partnered with a local San Diego restaurateur to open “Andy’s Pizzería,” a boxing-themed eatery set to launch this week in Chula Vista, CA. Inspired by Ruiz’s historic 2019 upset win over Anthony Joshua, the restaurant promised a mix of Mexican heritage and fight-night flair, right down to the décor.
But just days before the grand opening, things unraveled fast.
Víctor López, owner of Victorino’s Pizzería and Ruiz’s partner in the venture, released a public statement Monday cutting all ties with the boxer. In a post shared to social media, López made it clear: “Neither I, nor El Pollo Grill, nor Victorino’s Pizzería are affiliated with him or his brand.”
A Tasty Concept That Never Got to Sizzle
The original plan was to transform Victorino’s into “Andy’s Pizzería,” rebranding the space and introducing new items inspired by Ruiz’s background. The excitement was real. Fans expected the champ himself to be present for the July 10 launch.
Victorino’s had only opened in early 2024 but quickly built a following thanks to its square-cut New York-style pizza with a local twist. Creations like Bonita White and El Padrino made it a neighborhood favorite-some were even looking forward to seeing what kind of “championship slice” Ruiz would put his name on.
Now, there’s uncertainty. Will the restaurant continue with the rebrand without Ruiz? Or will it stick to its roots?
Ruiz hasn’t issued a statement yet, and López closed his with a short apology to customers for the confusion. What sparked the sudden split remains unclear-but it’s a reminder that not all wins happen outside the ring.
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