Andy Ruiz has his sights set on the best in his division before hanging up the gloves, ordering the three fighters he’d like to face if it was left up to him.
The first Mexican Heavyweight Champion in the history of the sport is potentially just two fights away from making history again. Ruiz is on the comeback trail after losing those belts back to Anthony Joshua.
With a good win over Luis Ortiz leaving him high in the rankings for the WBC, he has now been ordered to face Deontay Wilder for a final eliminator to determine who gets a shot at the title held by Tyson Fury.
Despite his plans being made for him, there are other names in the division he’d like to compete with.
IFL TV asked the heavyweight to name three fighters he’d like to face in order. Perhaps unsurprisingly, he skipped over Wilder to the two champions first, with ‘The Gypsy King’ being top of the list.
“Tyson Fury, [Oleksandr] Usyk, and [Deontay] Wilder. I think those are only the top ones that I haven’t fought. Before I retire, before I step out of the ring and all that, I want to fight with the best, you know? And I feel that those are the best.”
When asked if he’d face Fury, the current WBC Champion, ahead of Wilder, the former, Ruiz said yes and went on to cast doubt on the Wilder fight he’s supposed to be having next.
“Of course. For some reason I have a gut feeling that if Wilder fights me and he wins, he’s going to have to fight Tyson Fury, and I feel he doesn’t want to fight Tyson Fury. I don’t think he wants the WBC belt. I think he wants to fight Usyk so that he can get all the other belts that he’s never had. I’m kind of aiming for the other direction, since I had those belts I want the WBC belt.”
Ruiz’ comments were filmed before the WBC officially ordered his fight with Wilder, so that decision may change his expectations of it being made.
‘The Bronze Bomber’s trainer, Malik Scott, has also recently confirmed that they will take the fight if necessary – meaning everything points to number three on the Mexican’s list being ticked off in early 2023.