Wilder Vs. Ruiz Could Happen For A Vacant WBC Title, Usyk-Fury Clash Delayed, Wilder Provides Update On Ngannou

Deontay Wilder’s potential fight with Andy Ruiz Jr. could be for a vacant WBC heavyweight title. 

Such a move may play out following the news that Tyson Fury’s next bout will be a ‘game changer,’ raising the possibility that he may fight an MMA star after being linked with Jon Jones and Francis Ngannou.

If that were to happen, there is a chance that the ‘Gypsy King’ could be stripped of his title. As of now, a fight between Wilder and Ruiz would be for a WBC title eliminator with the winner being in line to face Fury.

But the fight between Wilder and Ruiz had been ordered by the WBC around a year ago, which is why the pressure is on Fury to get a fight date. 

Wilder’s Other Option

Just as Fury may have a crossover fight, Wilder has continued to tease the prospect of his very own one.

The ‘Bronze Bomber’ has made it no secret that he would relish the opportunity to face Francis Ngannou. And in order to get it done, Wilder admitted he would be willing to crossover into the cage too. 

When asked about Ngannou, Wilder had this to say.

“He knows what the deal is. Francis you hit me, you know what’s up.

“But yeah, I was at the PFL to enjoy some fighting, to shake a couple of hands with a couple of people, and talk business as well. Francis is one of those names that definitely came up, and keeps coming up.

“Hopefully we can get something on the schedule in the near future that we can present to the people and make this fight become a reality,” Wilder

Fury-Usyk Delayed

More news has emerged that any Fury fight with Usyk would take place beyond December, in January 2024. 

The news arrives, as per Gareth. A. Davies, on the basis that all four of the heavyweights (Fury, Usyk, Wilder and Joshua) are set for summer bouts.

This in turn plays into the lack of recovery time for the fighters and the reduction in time to promote the event. 

“Frank told me just before I sat down with you that the Saudis are moving that big undisputed fight to 2024, the first quarter of 2024. So Oleksandr Usyk is probably going to fight another [opponent],” Davies