This month marks a full year since former unified heavyweight world champion Andy Ruiz Jr made his last in-ring appearance.

Since coming into his Anthony Joshua rematch 15.5 pounds heavier and being soundly beaten over 12 rounds on Saudi shores in December 2019, the longtime contender has only boxed three times and flattered to deceive on each of those occasions.

One key figure that didn't feature in his corner during those appearances has been warmly welcomed back into the fold: highly-regarded trainer Manny Robles.

Ruiz shared an image of them together back in February and outlets quickly pounced on news of a reunion, though nothing was set in stone until now.

The former beltholder has been rehabbing from a badly broken right wrist sustained during the fifth round of his 12-round majority draw with Jarrell Miller last August and been sharing his experiences receiving stem cell treatment in the meantime.

Robles told The Ring of his surprise that former two-division champion Oscar Valdez (32-3, 24 KOs) sought him out at the gym in hopes the pair would again work together and now, another ex-world titleholder has returned to familiar ground in hopes of rekindling the magic they once had.

After a 15-month layoff following his 12-round majority decision defeat by Joseph Parker for the vacant WBO world title, Ruiz joined Robles and together they were unbeaten over four fights - with three stoppages - including the first Joshua fight, an opportunity accepted on a month's notice.

Robles' stable is currently booming, with Ring and WBO junior bantamweight champion Mizuki Hiruta, newly-minted WBA interim super middleweight titlist Armando Resendiz and longtime junior welterweight contender Serhii Bohachuk all riding high.

Ruiz, who left Robles in the wake of his one-sided Joshua defeat in their rematch, had a brief partnership in Canelo Alvarez's gym under head coach Eddy Reynoso before opting for home comforts.

In his last two fights, he was trained by Alfredo Osuna while other close confidants including his father and extended family were in the corner.

A pair of underwhelming 12-round decision victories over Chris Arreola and Luis Ortiz, 16 months apart, didn't help the California native's case as inactivity has plagued him over the past half-decade.

"He's at a stage of his career now where it's now or never," Robles told The Ring.

When asked about how he'll be able to motivate someone who has already reached the sport's highest heights, he didn't seem worried.

"That's exactly what I'm going to try to do, give him that push, I'll set my grounds as I do with everyone, let him know exactly that - no excuses - he doesn't want to waste his time and neither do I. I've got to get him to work, back in the ring as soon as possible and get the ball rolling again."

While this feels like another rebuild in a division packed full of them, there's no specific opponent or roadmap towards world title contention just yet. It's easy to forget that Ruiz turns 36 next month and has struggled with various issues, both in-and-out of the ring, so a morale-boosting victory or two against decent opposition would serve him well.

The tentative plan is for him to return before December or January time and steadily progress from there.