Home Boxing News Mystery opponent emerges to face Deontay Wilder, Anthony Joshua chooses new trainer

Mystery opponent emerges to face Deontay Wilder, Anthony Joshua chooses new trainer

Deontay Wilder with Malik Scott

A mystery opponent could yet derail the proposed between former world heavyweight champions Deontay Wilder 43-2-1 (42) and Andy Ruiz Jr 35-2 (22).

Last week the WBC ordered Wilder and Ruiz to fight a world title eliminator, but Wilder’s trainer Malik Scott has revealed there is another opponent in the mix for the 37-year-old American, although he would not disclose the name.

“It’s down to the mystery opponent and Andy Ruiz Jr. Since AJ had made up his mind and does not want to fight Deontay right now, we’re down to Andy Ruiz and the mystery guy,” Scott told Best Sports Betting Canada.

“The mystery fighter is not as guaranteed to happen as the Ruiz fight. If you’re looking at it from the business perspective, it’s most likely going to be the mandatory shot, Ruiz.

“It’s looking like Ruiz, but in this game there’s no telling as Deontay is big-time boxing. When you’re big-time boxing, and as sad or as unfortunate it may sound to some people, mandatories don’t mean nothing. Fighters have stepped aside to make big, big fights happen.

“This goes on in boxing, it’s what the fans want or what makes business sense for the fighters and their team. It’s likely to be Ruiz but if not there are other negotiations going on as well.

“We could be going in March or early April but it really depends. The only thing I can say at the moment is Ruiz is mandated but Deontay is big-time boxing.

“And when you have a big-time boxer like Deontay and a mandatory going on at the same time – and there’s another bigger fighter – step aside happens some time, you never know. Business is willing to be made to make bigger fights happen.”

Meanwhile, former two-time unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua 24-3 (22) has selected a new coach and committed to training in America.

“He is gonna train in America and he’ll start that camp in the next week,” Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Boxing said on The DAZN Boxing Show.

“He’ll be flying out. You guys will get the news soon… Like I said, AJ’s his own man and something like (announcing his new trainer) is for him to confirm once he’s happy to confirm it.”

Undefeated Australian southpaw Demsey McKean 22-0 (14) is one of the names in the mix to face Joshua. The 32-year-old ‘Tower of Terror’ is ranked number 11 by the IBF and number 10 by the WBO.

“April 1 is the targeted date in London,” Hearn said. “Really, I have a call (today) to go through the final list of opponents, the final, you know, bits and pieces around the date. We’re almost ready, really. He’s excited.”

Hearn added he was pleased with Joshua’s choice of coach.

“Yes, I’m happy with the trainer,” he said. “I’m happy with anybody that makes AJ feel comfortable, makes him feel motivated, makes him feel excited, and I think this is gonna be a nice break.”

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