Former world champion, Johnny Nelson, has joined fans in expressing excitement for a potential heavyweight clash between Deontay Wilder and Andy Ruiz – and he’s made his pick for the winner.
The World Boxing Council has ordered their number one – Wilder – and number two – Ruiz – to face each other and determine who’s next in line for a shot at Tyson Fury’s throne.
Nelson, who to this day holds the record of being the longest reigning cruiserweight champ, mentioned the fight to Pro Boxing Fans as one he wants to see in the new year and believes it’s a case of boxer versus puncher.
“I am interested to see Wilder against Ruiz. I think Wilder beats him.
Ruiz is the better boxer, Wilder is the better puncher. So, Ruiz can take a lick but, how Ruiz fights, I reckon if he loses and gets stopped it’ll by a shot on the top of the head – and that will put him down. Discombobulate him.
But, if Wilder lets him get in close, [Ruiz] will outbox him, beat him up and knock him out.”
Frustratingly for fans, the fight between the two former champions has been ordered but doesn’t seem to have progressed any further than that. As Ruiz calls for plans to be made, Team Wilder have been letting their attention drift to a fight with Anthony Joshua.
Of course, it’s in the man from Alabama’s right to skip the Ruiz final eliminator, but he would also be moving away from a chance to fight for his old WBC title in his next fight should he win.
As with many things in the heavyweight division, it’s expected to become clear sooner rather than later.
With the belts tied up in negotiations for an undisputed fight between Fury and Oleksandr Usyk, the likes of Wilder and Ruiz, along with Anthony Joshua and Joe Joyce, must stay busy – preferably with one another.