Deontay Wilder-Andy Ruiz Jr, Errol Spence Jr-Keith Thurman Among Fights Ordered By WBC
These two fights were just a couple of many that were announced on Wednesday.
Deontay Wilder has his next assignment.
Wilder vs Andy Ruiz was also already expected to happen. Wilder is coming off a dominant knockout of Robert Helenius while Ruiz last defeated Luis Ortiz. Both fighters indicated they were open to the matchup. WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman said the winner would be mandatory for WBC champion Tyson Fury.
That order, among several other fights, was revealed at the WBC convention.
📝 Fights WBC ordered/approved today:
🥊 Deontay Wilder vs Andy Ruiz
🥊 Errol Spence vs Keith Thurman
🥊 David Benavidez vs Caleb Plant
🥊 Shakur Stevenson vs Isaac Cruz
🥊 Teofimo Lopez vs Sandor Martin
🥊 Sebastian Fundora vs Tony Harrison
🥊 Stephen Fulton-Brandon Figueroa II— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) November 9, 2022
Among other orders at the WBC convention: @ShakurStevenson vs. Isaac Cruz in a 135 final eliminator. #boxing
— Dan Rafael (@DanRafael1) November 9, 2022
Errol Spence Jr and Keith Thurman were officially announced after speculation of being ordered.
Spence said he was looking for a new opponent after Terence Crawford announced he was fighting David Avanesyan in December.
Thurman said he was always ready to become a replacement if Spence-Crawford fell through.
David Benavidez and Caleb Plant was confirmed after Benavidez-Jose Uzcategui fell through due to backlash. Sulaiman said the winner would be mandatory for undisputed champion Canelo Alvarez.
Stevenson, who recently announced that he was moving up to the 135-pound weight class, has been ordered to face top contender Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz in a final eliminator.
Stevenson said he was leaving the super featherweight division after he missed weight by over a pound in his title defense against Robson Conceicao in September. The Newark native dominated the Brazilian and fought to a 12-round unanimous decision.
In the post-fight press conference, Stevenson told FIGHT SPORTS that missing weight did have a small effect on his mindset, but he ultimately felt good and strong.
Cruz is on a two-fight winning streak ever since losing a controversial unanimous decision bout to Gervonta Davis. Many fans paint Cruz as one of the top contenders in the lightweight division.
The winner of the eliminator could become a mandatory for undisputed champion Devin Haney.