Michael Hunter has weighed in with a prediction for a potential heavyweight clash between Deontay Wilder and Andy Ruiz Jr, and is giving the edge to former unified world champion Ruiz.
The WBC ordered a fight between Wilder and Ruiz as a final eliminator for their iteration of the world heavyweight title, currently held by Tyson Fury.
In an interview with ID Boxing, Hunter expressed his excitement for the fight, and explained how he believes Ruiz’ experience and boxing brain would be enough to overcome Wilder’s heralded power.
“I think it’s a very interesting fight. We got one tall, skinny toothpick and one short marshmallow!
“I like that fight. I think Andy Ruiz’ experience is going to come through on this one. He thinks a little bit more in there than Deontay Wilder.”
“But Wilder has the leverage, he has the height and he’s starting to find his distance a little better as he gets older.”
“I think it’s a very exciting fight – they’re both big punchers.”
Although both men are signed to Al Haymon’s PBC and the contest, in theory is an easy one to make, there is yet to be an official announcement and there was speculation negotiations had started to stall.
‘The Bronze Bomber’s trainer Malik Scott admitted in a recent interview he would prefer a huge cross Atlantic dust up with Anthony Joshua over an All American affair with Ruiz.
In the most recent update, though, it’s being reported that the fight will go ahead and a date in the summer is being targeted.
The pair enjoyed a successful end to 2022, with Wilder exploding back onto the heavyweight landscape with a one round KO of Robert Helenius on October 15th, whilst Ruiz outpointed Cuban veteran Luis Ortiz just a month prior.