Andy Ruiz Jr. has flared further doubts over a potential WBC heavyweight title eliminator with Deontay Wilder as their mandated clash continues to stall.
Ruiz spent most of the weekend calling out former opponent Anthony Joshua. His move came after the Briton saw his rematch with Dillian Whyte fall apart.
Whyte failed a drug test for the third time in his career, leaving serious question marks over whether he will ever be able to compete again.
This left Joshua at a loose end and only seven days to find an opponent for an already sold-out event at London’s O2 Arena.
Andy Ruiz Jr calls out AJ
But the fact Ruiz offered to step in or spark up talks of a trilogy between the pair is evidence enough. Wilder may not be Ruiz’s current focus.
Offering to compete against Joshua in a rubber match after each won a victory in their previous bouts, Ruiz doesn’t seem to be putting his eggs into the Wilder basket.
Talks went public a few weeks ago when Ruiz and Wilder called each other out and got nasty over social media. This furor has since died down, and fans are watching the paint dry, waiting for the official announcement.
If it doesn’t come soon, both fighters will have been out of the ring another year when they promised to be active in 2023.
As World Boxing News explained, the winner of Wilder vs Ruiz will fight for the WBC heavyweight title next. That’s with or without current champion Tyson Fury.
Deontay Wilder mandatory
Fury’s mandatory will come into play next April. That compulsory will be Wilder or Ruiz – but only if Al Haymon’s long-term blueprint comes to fruition.
Wilder could face another contender as the WBC number one if they disagree and then be ratified without Ruiz. It all depends on which of the pair negates discussions.
Haymon got permission from WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman to stage a mini-tournament for the vacant WBC title when Fury retired for the umpteenth time.
“The Gypsy King” then blew those plans out of the water by making another U-turn. Now, Fury could get pushed into facing Wilder or Ruiz before any chance to meet Oleksandr Usyk comes along.
After his pointless fight with Francis Ngannou, Fury will be ordered to face his mandatory challenger. The clock is ticking on Wilder or Ruiz landing that position.
Wilder vs Ruiz could even be sanctioned for the interim title, potentially elevated to the full champion by next spring if Fury still isn’t playing ball and fighting MMA stars.
Haymon won’t take kindly to Fury holding up the mandatory side of the division any longer. But it’s not all Fury’s fault, as Wilder and Ruiz have to get moving and agree to a deal.
