Andy Ruiz is keeping busy in the gym for his next fight – but who that will be against remains out of his hands.
The heavyweight has been out of the ring since September – a decision victory over Luis Ortiz in which he scored three knockdowns – and currently has no return pencilled in.
From his social media, though, it’s clear that Ruiz is keen to dispel the rumours that he isn’t as dedicated to the sport as his fellow championship contenders.
In training footage, the 35-2 fighter with 22 KOs works the pads with combinations, slipping a return shot and delivering his own powerful right hand to end it.
Dreams don’t work unless you do 🥊😤#WhosNextpic.twitter.com/gU7aiBXjTk
— AndyRuizJr (@Andy_destroyer1) December 28, 2022
The man who brought a first heavyweight world title to Mexico is clearly keen to reach those heights in the division once more. Ruiz’s stint as champion was short lived, with Anthony Joshua winning his belts back in an immediate rematch.
Since then, the fan favourite has racked up two victories and found himself in an ideal place for a potential title shot in the near future.
As the WBC’s number two ranked heavyweight, he has been ordered to face their number one – Deontay Wilder. Despite a solid route back the the title he held for five years before losing it to the current champion, Tyson Fury, Wilder’s team haven’t jumped at the chance of the final eliminator.
Instead, they’ve claimed they would take a ‘big’ fight against the likes of Anthony Joshua rather than Ruiz. The WBC have made it clear that it’s ‘The Bronze Bomber’s decision, but have not confirmed that Ruiz would then have the chance to face number 3 ranked Frank Sanchez for the same opportunity.
Ruiz, to his credit, has been open about wanting the Wilder match up. With the belts seemingly tied up in undisputed talks between Fury and Oleksandr Usyk, a fight between the two PBC stablemates is one of the most intriguing the division can offer.
Whether or not it will happen remains to be seen, but announcements should be made soon to keep the weight class moving.