Andy Ruiz Jr. bids to remove the final obstacle in his way before landing a potentially colossal Pay Per View with Deontay Wilder.
“The Destroyer” faces Luis Ortiz on September 4, knowing Wilder could be waiting in the wings for the end of 2022.
Al Haymon has had his eyes on the fight for almost two years. And now, both fighters have an added incentive.
Wilder vs Ruiz PPV
WBN understands that if Tyson Fury doesn’t announce a fight by October, the World Boxing Council will consider Wilder vs Ruiz for the interim or vacant title.
Ruiz must come through Ortiz before spiking Wilder’s interest. Haymon would then have a massive event on his hands, possibly for Las Vegas around December.
Discussing Ortiz and Wilder, Ruiz focuses on the coveted green and gold belt.
“I have to get back and work hard. The name is there, the talent is there,” said Ruiz to fighthype.com. “All I have to do is stay disciplined and work hard.
“I have all the right fights {Deontay Wilder] n me.
“I didn’t want to take easy fights, so I waited. That’s why we’re fighting Luis Ortiz because he’s an awkward, hard-hitting guy.
“I’m not underestimating him like my last fight [Chris Arreola] or nothing. We’re actually training hard.”
WBC title
The former heavyweight champion then delved into Wilder and the WBC opportunity.
If I win [against Ortiz], I would want to fight Wilder if he comes out of retirement,” he confirmed. “I got all these houses, but my dreams are not done.
“But I want that WBC belt. I told my son, ‘I’m not going to retire until I have this WBC belt.
“Even if I lost again and lost another time, I’m still fighting until I get this belt.
“I want to stay champion, stay relevant with the WBC belt. Little by little, we’re getting there.”
Wilder is currently ranked number one with the WBC, giving him the first option if Fury officially walks away.
Furthermore, on changing his life around since losing his titles, Ruiz said: “I wanted to work with [trainer] Alfredo Osuna a long time ago.
“It just wasn’t the right time then. He’s used to training for lefty fighters. I feel like this is exactly what I needed for this fight.
“My team is going to bring the best out of me.”
Top shape
Despite one fight in three years, Ruiz is adamant he’s in top shape.
“I’ve been doing this all my life. I’ve been fighting since I was six, so the muscle memory is there.
“I needed this long training camp for this type of fight. That’s going to help me get comfortable in this fight.
“I love fighting here in California. I always wanted to fight at this arena. The first time I ever saw Luis Ortiz fight was here at this arena.
“My dad told me that one day I was going to fight him. Now that day is here.
“The people wanted this fight. We’re going to give the people what they want. It’s going to be a hell of a show.
“This might not go the distance, but I’m prepared to go all twelve rounds. We’re going to get this victory no matter what on September 4.”
WBN Editor Phil has over ten years of boxing news experience. Follow WBN on Facebook @officialworldboxingnews and Twitter @worldboxingnews.
