Last week, there were rumors that former unified heavyweight champion US-Mexican Andy Ruiz Jr. (35-2, 22 KOs) terminated his contract with Premier Boxing Champions Al Haymon. The news was confirmed by the father of the fighter.
A few days later, Ruiz decided to dot the i, published a message in
social networks: “I would like to thank promoter Tom Brown and his TGB Promotions on behalf of myself and on behalf of my team for their support. Our contract has expired. But I will continue my journey with my family Premier Boxing Champions and my adviser Al Haymon. Satisfied with the opportunity to continue to participate in the biggest fights against the highest level opposition. Thank you all for your support. Looking forward to what 2023 has to offer me.”
With a high degree of probability, Ruiz’s next fight will be against ex-champion compatriot Deontay Wilder – this will be the final WBC eliminator. The puncher, however, occasionally mentions other options. He wants to fight in Saudi Arabia, named a possible opponent, and when asked about the fourth fight with Tyson Fury, he answered: “Of course. Follow the news”.
Wilder’s manager claims that even the option of a fight with Alexander Usyk remains real.
And now two interesting news from the smallest division of boxing:
- – WBC champion Panya Pradabsri (39-1, 23 KOs) from Thailand will hold the fourth defense of the belt on the road. April 16 at the arena Yoyogi 2nd Gymnasium (Tokyo, Japan) will fight local top prospect Yudai Shigeoke (6-0, 4 KOs);
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– WBO champion Filipino Melvin Jerusalem (20-2, 12 KOs) will also hold his debut defense not on his territory. His team lost the auction to representatives of Puerto Rican Oscar Collaso (6-0, 4 KOs).
Theoretically, the fight Jerusalem vs Collaso could take place on May 27. WBO welterweight champion Terence Crawford is rumored to take on his mandatory challenger on that date.