Oleksandr Usyk receives intriguing offer from Andy Ruiz Jr as talks continue over return fight
Andy Ruiz Jr wants to make a fight with Oleksandr Usyk happen this year.
Usyk is currently yet to confirm his next opponent, having initially vacated his WBO title in pursuit of a showdown with Deontay Wilder.
But it was confirmed to talkSPORT by Derek Chisora that he will instead face the ‘Bronze Bomber, with the bout expected to take place in April in London.
READ: Oleksandr Usyk Reveals The 2 Reasons He Wants To Fight Deontay Wilder
For now, the unified champion has been left out in the cold, and although Wilder still plans to challenge Usyk, he could well lose the risky bout and jeopardise a future meeting.
Therefore it is expected that ‘The Cat’ will consider his options in the meantime with a number of alternative options on the table.
Rumours have gathered pace in recent weeks that he could sign with Dana White and new promotion Zuffa Boxing with talks already being held.
And it was suggested that heavy-handed Andy Ruiz Jr could well be a potential opponent.
Now in a sign that the bout could well be on the table, the Mexican has taken to social media to make an offer to Usyk.
He shared a created picture of the pair facing off, as if the fight was already confirmed.
And he wrote the caption: “Let’s make it happen @usykaa.”
The fight could well be realistic, with rumours suggesting that any meeting could be held in July.
Would Ruiz Jr make a good opponent for Usyk?
Usyk would likely be an overwhelming favourite against Ruiz Jr, but the powerful Mexican has large commercial selling power.
The potential challenger hasn’t been as active as he would have liked in recent years, having fought just three times since his rematch defeat to Anthony Joshua in 2019.
In his last outing, Ruiz Jr broke his hand and faced a spell out of the ring after controversially drawing with Jarrell Miller in August 2024.
Now he has returned to training and is looking to get back into shape and put his name into the heavyweight mix.
Who else if not Ruiz Jr for Usyk?
Usyk is only looking for big-name fights in the twilight stages of his career, the reason he suggested he would not face Fabio Wardley who received his vacated title.
Sergey Lapin, his team director has suggested that leading ranked Agit Kabayel is a viable option.
“In today’s heavyweight top division, there are no ‘safe’ opponents; every top-level guy is a threat,” Lapin told talkSPORT Bet.
“Kabayel is definitely a possible option.
“We see how Germany reacts to these fights, the stadiums they can fill, and how strong that market is.
“Stylistically, he can be tricky, too. Pressure, pace, physicality.
“It would be a big European fight with strong business potential.”
