Eddie Hearn has given an update on hopes of staging the huge heavyweight clash between Deontay Wilder and Andy Ruiz Jr in Abu Dhabi this June.
When Wilder first announced that he was open to fielding offers from any promoter, not just those affiliated with PBC, Hearn was vocal in his desire to make him an offer.
“Absolutely. We’d love to. I would love to make Deontay Wilder against Andy Ruiz. I think it’s a great fight, it’s been ordered, and we’d love to try and make it happen … Free agent. There you go.”
The promoter later went into more specifics, stating he was hopeful of making the Wilder-Ruiz fight – ordered by the WBC as a final eliminator – for June 3 in the Middle East.
Wilder however had other ideas and, when asked about a possible link up with Hearn, his response was short and sweet – ‘that’s negative’.
And the promoter has now ruled out any chance of the two colliding in Abu Dhabi under a Matchroom promotion. When asked by Boxing Social if there were still talks for the fight, Hearn responded, ‘no, not happening’.
Wilder vs Ruiz was ordered way back in November, with the winner first in line for a shot at Tyson Fury’s belt. What initially looked like a certainty has dragged on and seems to have gone completely quiet.
More recently ‘The Bronze Bomber’ has been linked to a two fight deal with former UFC champion, Francis Ngannou.
Ruiz on the other hand has been mentioned as a potential backup for Fury if the undisputed bout with Oleksandr Usyk can’t be made.
The heavyweight scrap between the two former champions certainly hasn’t been shut down, though, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see them in the ring next. Hearn, however, will not be involved.