Deontay Wilder has restarted negotiations with Andy Ruiz Jr. for a heavyweight clash.
The boxers were on course to face each other in a WBC title eliminator before talks ended after disagreements over purse splits. Wilder’s side had made a 70-30 offer to Ruiz, while the Mexican responded by demanding half. As that fight would get scrapped, both boxers struggled to find opponents. Wilder’s potential fight with Anthony Joshua in Saudi Arabia failed to materialize, while Ruiz reportedly priced himself out of facing Tyson Fury by demanding $20 million. But now both fighters are looking to make the fight, which is crucial in light of their recent inactivity. Wilder and Ruiz have not fought in over a year since their wins over Robert Helenius and Luis Ortiz, respectively. As such, a fight could now be on the cards.
“That fight is not lost. These guys get on my nerves, but yeah, we’re back in talks. There was a lot of apologizing; we’ll see what happens,” said Wilder
Nevertheless, if the fight does not get made, Wilder is still targeting the Joshua fight. Aside from Saudi Arabia, no other venues have shown any interest in putting on the fight. Therefore, both fighters may have to reevaluate the purses that they were otherwise considering. But in order to make the fight happen, Wilder was willing to meet Joshua for face-to-face talks.
“I just don’t know what’s up with Joshua. Maybe I’m gonna have to go to England and sit down with him on some real man sh!t… I don’t want him to feel like I have anything against him, but I know he’s afraid of me. Joshua, me and you is the biggest fight in the world bro, what are you doing? I really wanna talk to that dude,” Wilder said