Former unified heavyweight champion Andy ‘The Destroyer’ Ruiz Jr 35-2 (22) is angling for a shot at former WBC heavyweight champion Deontay ‘The Bronze Bomber’ Wilder 42-2-1 (41).
The 32-year-old Mexican-American defeated two-time world title challenger Luis ‘King Kong’ Ortiz 33-3 (28) by close unanimous decision at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California on Sunday night.
Ruiz had the 43-year-old Cuban on the deck twice in round number two and again in round seven, but the crafty veteran was able to pinch enough rounds to make the fight competitive.
When the dust settled judges Edward Hernandez Sr and Zachary Young both had it 114-111, while Fernando Villarreal saw it 113-112, meaning the result would have been a majority draw if Ortiz had avoided the canvas.
Ruiz admitted he was wary of Ortiz even when he had him hurt.
“A dangerous fighter is when he’s hurt. That’s when he’s more vulnerable. When I knocked him down, I had to be safe and cautious because he was coming back,” Ruiz said to FightHubTV.
“He was a veteran. I was holding back a lot because I felt I was in the distance. I hadn’t fought in a long time. I just wanted to be smart, be cautious and I didn’t want to get hurt with anything else.
“I didn’t want it to be, he drops me, I drop him, so I was trying to be cautious, counter punch him and win on points, and that’s exactly what I did.”
The fight Ruiz wants next is against Wilder, who is slated to face Robert ‘The Nordic Nightmare’ Helenius 31-3 (20) at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York on October 15.
Wilder is looking to rebound from back-to-back knockout losses to Tyson Fury 32-0-1 (23) and get back in the world title mix after losing his WBC crown.
Ruiz believes the fight will be easy to make due to both boxers being aligned with Premier Boxing Champions.
“God willing, [Wilder] wins [against] Robert in October,” Ruiz said in his post-fight interview. “Me and him are in the same organisation. I want to thank Al Haymon. He can make this fight happen. Let’s do it.”
The 36-year-old Wilder was ringside to observe the Ruiz-Ortiz fight and said he would be happy to face the winner.
“Deontay Wilder’s back. He’s always looking for greatness,” Wilder said of a bout against Ruiz.
“That’s what he loves to give the fans. If that’s what’s lined up next – I gotta handle business but after that, we can get it on.”
