By Robert Segal: Deontay Wilder is open to fighting Andy Ruiz Jr following his 12-round unanimous decision victory over Luis Ortiz in a WBC heavyweight title eliminator last night in Los Angeles.
Wilder (42-1-1, 41 KOs) will next face Robert Helenius in a second WBC title eliminator next month on Oct. 15.
WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman recently said his organization would decide which of the two mandatory challengers from the Ruiz-Ortiz and Wilder-Helenius fight will fight for the world title against champion Tyson Fury.
What could happen is that the winner of those two fights meet to decide who fights for the world title. Wilder says that he is not going to shy away from any fighter, as he wants to fight the best.
If that means Ruiz is the next player Wilder faces, he’ll be ready and willing to accept that matchup, provided he beats Helenius on Oct. 15.
“I am in a tear for whatever and whenever. Deontay Wilder is back and I don’t shirk fights,” Deontay Wilder told Fight Hub TV when asked if he would fight Andy Ruiz Jr next.
“If that is [Ruiz] the most exciting fight after running businesses, so be it, so be it. I am willing, ready and able. Everybody knows. Everyone in the heavyweight division knows what Deontay Wilder brings,” Deontay said.
Ruiz (35-2, 22 KOs) had as much as he could against Ortiz (33-3, 28 KOs), 43, last Sunday night, eking out a narrow 12-round unanimous decision, despite knocking down to the Cuban boxer. three times.
When you knock an opponent down three times and barely win, as we saw with Ruiz, it’s a sign that you lack boxing skills.
If Wilder is able to hit the same types of shots Ortiz did, it will be a big win for the ‘Bronze Bomber.’ Ruiz can’t afford to get hit by Wilder as many times as Ortiz did.
“I’m willing to die for what I believe in, and that’s what I bring to the table,” Deontay said. “Having said that, I am ready to go. They fear me, I don’t fear them, and that’s the difference.
“This second reign is about being happy, and that is what I am going to show in the ring.
“You can always expect big fights where you’re on the edge of your seats when Deontay Wilder walks in,” Wilder said.
