ANDY RUIZ JR could fight Deontay Wilder BEFORE Anthony Joshua does.
The WBC have confirmed that the Mexican fighter will get a shot at Wilder’s heavyweight belt despite losing his own WBO and IBF titles to Anthony Joshua last weekend.
Andy Ruiz Jr could get a shot at Deontay Wilder before Anthony JoshuaCredit: PA:Press Association
Ruiz was given the runaround by AJ in their Saudi Arabia rematch, having gained extra weight and done very little training since his shock victory in the first clash at New York’s Madison Square Garden.
Joshua has now been tipped to take on Wilder and fellow heavyweight giant Tyson Fury in a bid to unify the division.
But AJ has since been ordered to take on WBO mandatory challenger Oleksandr Usyk next, with IBF mandatory challenger Kubrat Pulev also in waiting.
And the door has now been opened for Ruiz Jr to get in the ring with Wilder – as long as the Mexican can keep his weight in check.
WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman said: “Andy is going to be well rated, not only because of the big surprise he gave in June.
“He has a good record, showing good things. He’s in the boxing elite.
“Andy doesn’t need to have qualifying rounds or something else.
“Maybe he should rest, reflect on what he did wrong. Then move on with his career.
“I don’t add up to the many statements that criticise Andy. He made a mistake. It cost him.
“Now he has to learn so he doesn’t repeat that again.”
Speaking immediately after his defeat to Joshua, Ruiz declared he wanted to go with the Brit for a third time.
He asked the crowd: “Who wants to see the third trilogy fight right here? In Saudi Arabia baby?”
But AJ is himself hoping to take on Wilder in the near future, telling the Zoe Ball Breakfast Show on BBC Radio 2: “I feel like it’s ‘Lord of the Rings’, the last ring, let’s get it on, let’s make history.
“It has to happen in 2020, we’re in the same division, same era.
“If these guys want to make history, especially Wilder because he has the last belt.
“We created history by becoming a two-time champion of the world and I feel like we can add to that legacy in 2020.
“If I don’t fight [the mandatory challengers] I’ll have to give up my belt and I’d rather fight to defend them.”
Anthony Joshua works up a sweat and then smashes down a feast
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
