Andy Ruiz has revealed he wants to fight Tyson Fury or even take on Anthony Joshua for a third time before the former world champion calls it a career. Ruiz – who became the first-ever Mexican world heavyweight champion when he stunned Joshua in 2019 – is preparing to face Luis Ortiz on Sunday night.
Ruiz is intent on making a bit more history before he walks away from the sport and retires. Three years ago, the 32-year-old pulled off one of the greatest upsets in boxing history when he knocked Joshua down four times before securing a seventh-round stoppage to claim the WBO, WBA, and IBF heavyweight belts in New York.
In the rematch, Ruiz’s commitment to the sport was questioned as he weighed in 15lbs heavier than the first bout and Joshua comfortably dictated the contest to reclaim his belts via unanimous decision. Ruiz spent 18 months out of the ring following his second career loss.
However, he linked up with Canelo Alvarez’s trainer Eddie Reynoso and began working on both his technique and improving his physique as he defeated Chris Arreola on his comeback. Ruiz has weighed in at the same weight as his first clash with Joshua ahead of his bout against Ortiz, but the Mexican has one eye on the future – and one eye on a potential clash with Fury.
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“I want to focus on four more years in boxing and give it all I’ve got, fight the top contenders,” Ruiz told Insider. “I hope and pray that Tyson Fury doesn’t retire because it would be an honour to fight him.
“It’s a bucket list fight. It would be a blessing to fight him.”
Fury is currently looking for an opponent after Oleksandr Usyk ruled out an undisputed heavyweight title showdown before the end of the year. Ruiz also hopes to secure a third fight with Joshua, adding: “Everyone else has done a trilogy except for me and him.”
Joshua will begin his journey back to title contention after suffering a second successive defeat to Usyk last month. Ruiz would be a solid option for both Fury and Joshua in the future but first, he has to defeat Ortiz in Los Angeles to prove himself.
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