Fury Ducks Usyk As The Gypsy King Will Fight Andy Ruiz Jr – Says Eddie Hearn
According to Eddie Hearn, Tyson Fury’s next fight will be against former unified heavyweight champion Andy Ruiz Jr. on June 22nd, 2023.
The news comes following the breakdown in talks between Fury and Oleksandr Usyk for what would have been a mega-undisputed fight.
While that may have been the case, speculation has been mounting that Fury could face Usyk in a heavyweight showdown at the back end of the year.
Eddie Hearn has claimed that Tyson Fury will fight Andy Ruiz on July 22nd đź‘€
🤔 A good test for Fury?
(Source: @boxingkingmedia)#FuryRuiz #TysonFury #BoxingNews pic.twitter.com/J6vT7eyyjr
— IFL TV (@IFLTV) April 21, 2023
As per reports, it is alleged that a heavyweight tournament is being considered, with the undisputed bout happening alongside a fight between Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder as a co-main event in Saudi Arabia.
Fury’s last fight was a win over Dereck Chisora in December, which is why a fight now would make perfect sense, especially if a fight deal can be agreed upon at the end of the year.
The pressure for the undisputed fight grew when Fury teased that he had a ‘massive’ announcement. But any chances of that being an Usyk fight appear slim, given Fury’s negative response to the possible Saudi tournament.
‼️ Tyson Fury teasing “massive news” of an “imminent fight date” for an “absolutely monstrous fight” on Instagram today…
[📽️ @Tyson_Fury] pic.twitter.com/yCJ7sEixWo
— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) April 20, 2023
With that being said, Hearn has suggested that Ruiz Jr. is the ‘Gypsy King’s’ next opponent.
In his comments to Boxing King Media, Hearn said: “Andy Ruiz, July 22nd.”
Nevertheless, Fury cannot afford to overlook Ruiz Jr. Just as Joshua had been talking up an undisputed fight with Wilder all the back in 2019, the Brit came unstuck when he lost his undefeated record to the Mexican.
And yet, this was not the fight that the boxing community had been hoping for, as shown through the social media response.
Social Media Reaction
There’s no shame with this guy, ducks Usyk to fight a guy who went life and death with 44yr old Ortiz. Fury fanboys will think this is fine, you watch.
— Steve (@occams_razor22) April 21, 2023
Pathetic
— Levi (@Levih85) April 21, 2023
No, it's just a fight to make money. Fury has no respect for boxing fans
— Alex29 (@catalonets10) April 21, 2023