As the battle to become Deontay Wilder’s next opponent goes on, one former champion has now declared that the American is ‘scared’ to fight him.
For many months of this year, Brit Anthony Joshua seems to have been the one in poll position to secure a huge showdown with ‘The Bronze Bomber’, though talks have more recently gone quiet and word is the fight may be more likely to happen in March or April next year.
Sitting close behind in the talks is Andy Ruiz Jr, the former WBA, WBO and IBF champion who spectacularly dethroned Joshua as the heavy underdog one wild night in New York back in 2019. Ruiz lost the belts in the immediate rematch in December of that year and has since beaten Luis Ortiz and Chris Arreola to get himself back in contention.
Initially, his fight with Wilder was ordered as a WBC final eliminator before that was rescinded and negotiations seemed to break down after several public spats and demands from both parties.
Speaking to Little Giant Boxing, Ruiz has now said Wilder is scared to face him.
“Come on, you got my number, call me, let’s make it happen, bro. I know you’re a little scared, bro. If he’s so confident he’s going to knock me down and it’s an easy fight let’s make it happen. I’m here to take risks. I’m not here to find a tune-up fight I just want to fight you.”
Ruiz then explained that his confidence came from a dream he had.
“You know why? I had a dream. JC told me I was going to knock you out. I’m not saying what round but I won. God gave me a dream that I f***ing beat his ass, knocked him out and I won the fight.”
Ruiz versus Wilder would represent a good heavyweight match-up for both men should it eventually come off.