By Gabriel Princewill-
Deontay Wilder vs. Andy Ruiz Jr was ordered today by the WBC at their convention for a final eliminator to determine the next mandatory challenger to champion Tyson Fury.
The ruling gives Wilder, 37, a potential second crack at the title he lost to the behemoth gypsy king in what would be his fourth fight with 6ft 9 inches Fury, who has already lost twice to Tyson Fury in back-to-back fights, after a controversial draw in December 2018 at the Los Angelis Staple Centre/
The matchup is an intriguing one that pits an almighty banger against a quick handed and explosive fighter in former world champion Ruiz Jnr, famed for being the first man to defeat Anthony Joshua and capture all his belts in 2019.
Although Ruiz Jnr lost a landslide decision for their rematch six months later, there were moment sin which the Londoner looked in danger of a second defeat, but he adopted a strategic approach that saw him fight put of range and use the ring wisely for 12 rounds to regain his title.
Joshua has since been beaten twice by Olegsander Usyk who secured his own place in boxing history by seizing the belts from Joshua and successfully defending it in their rematch last September. Meanwhile, Ruiz Jnr has won two fights comfortably, the most recent being points win against the savvy heavyweight Cuban, Louiz Otis, who himself outboxed Wilder in two contests before being halted both times by one thunderous punch.
Ruiz Jnr is an infinitely more versatile and competent boxer than his American counterpart. but cannot match Wilder’s one punch knock out power. The American born Mexican poses the threat of stopping Wilder whilst outboxing him, in the absence of which he will simply get knockout in spectacular fashion by the former Wbc champion. It is a very risky fight for both men.
It promises to be the next most exciting heavyweight fight for boxing fans who have to endure watching a trilogy fight between Tyson Fury and Derek Chisora, even though the unbeaten heavyweight champion has defeated his 12 times defeated opponents twice already.