Deontay Wilder Still Deciding Between Fight Vs. Andy Ruiz Jr Or ‘Mystery Opponent’
Wilder and Ruiz were ordered to fight by the WBC.
It’s still not 100% certain that Deontay Wilder vs Andy Ruiz Jr will take place.
But, Wilder’s coach, Malik Scott, recently told Best Sports Betting Canada that it’s probably going to happen. The World Boxing Council had previously ordered Wilder and Ruiz to fight in a title eliminator; the winner would then become a mandatory to champion Tyson Fury.
“It’s down to the mystery opponent and Andy Ruiz Jr,” coach Malik Scott told Best Sports Betting Canada.
“Since AJ has made up his mind. He does not want to fight Deontay right now. We’re down to Andy Ruiz and the mystery guy.
“The mystery fighter is not as guaranteed to happen as the Ruiz fight. If you’re looking at it from the business perspective, it’s likely going to be the mandatory shot, Ruiz.”
Wilder has been one of the division’s top guys ever since he ran through contenders during his WBC title run from 2015 to 2020. That reign came to an end when Fury technically knocked out Wilder in February 2020.
Wilder attempted to get it back in 2021, but was knocked out in the 11th round.
He bounced back from the losses by knocking out Robert Helenius in the first round.
Ruiz was on top of the world when he technically knocked out Anthony Joshua for the IBF, IBO, WBA and WBO heavyweight titles in June 2019. He lost the titles in a rematch to Joshua in December 2019 by unanimous decision.
Ruiz also returned to the winning column with two victories against Chris Arreola and Luis Ortiz.
“The only thing I can say at the moment is Ruiz is mandated. But Deontay is big-time boxing. And when you have a big-time boxer like Deontay and a mandatory going on at the same time – and there’s another bigger fighter – step a side happens sometimes. You never know,” Scott added.
“Business is willing to be made to make bigger fights happen.”