Andy Ruiz Jr. has hit out at Deontay Wilder’s team for what he believes to be an unsatisfactory offer, as a fight failed to get made.
The two boxers were in negotiations for what would have been a WBC title eliminator, with the winner getting the chance to face Tyson Fury for the WBC belt. However, the negotiations were far from simple. Wilder’s team reportedly offered 70-30. Meanwhile, Ruiz’s camp demanded an equal split to reflect his status as a former unified heavyweight champion.
The WBC have now cancelled their order for Deontay Wilder vs Andy Ruiz a final eliminator to determine the next mandatory for Tyson Fury's WBC heavyweight world title as the fight has not been made. WBC will re-evaluate and may make a new ruling at the WBC convention in November.
— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) August 18, 2023
And yet, an agreement could not get finalized as the WBC canceled the call for the interim bout. And now Ruiz has revealed the reasons for the deadlock by claiming that he was being offered the same amount that he earned when he fought Luis Ortiz in his last fight. So, given the magnitude of the fight, the Mexican was demanding a higher purse.
Andy Ruiz on Wilder: They’re Trying to Pay Me What I Got for My Last Fight; It Doesn’t Make Sense https://t.co/tg3O2t7sBY pic.twitter.com/d7bsbDvgW4
— BoxingScene.com (@boxingscene) August 29, 2023
“Stop ducking Wilder’—ain’t nobody ducking Wilder, man. Tell him to pay me what I deserve, bro. They’re trying to pay me what I got for my last fight. It doesn’t make sense. You’re f—— climbing up the ladders and then you get a big task and you’re supposed to beat him, and I f——- beat him, and then the purses is supposed to go higher and higher and higher. That’s the way it goes. If you don’t know, then don’t say sh!t. $10 million or less? I’ll fight him for $10 million, f— it,” Ruiz said
With the fight not getting made, Fury’s mandatory situation rumbles on which in turn will delay an undisputed fight with Oleksandr Usyk. As such, boxing fans were very vocal about Ruiz’s current situation.
Social Media Reaction
You want big money? Fine. But you haven’t fought in a year. Take less and stay active vs. anyone.
— Notorious JTB (@NotoriousJTB) August 29, 2023
Becoming rich really derailed his career.
— Ronald Schwarzenegger (@lord_il_palazzo) August 30, 2023
It’s based on box office he gotta look at the numbers of his last Ppv. They were bad.
— Eddie Blanco from The Bronx (@E_Flo95) August 29, 2023