Oleksandr Usyk has no shortage of potential opponents for 2026 and now one more has joined the list of hopefuls.
The undisputed heavyweight champion will return next year with Fabio Wardley the apparent front-runner to face the 38-year-old.
Meanwhile, one-time divisional king Andy Ruiz Jr is gunning for another shot at glory and has his own sights set on facing the Ukrainian.
The Mexican-American has fought just four times since his stunning 2019 upset victory over Anthony Joshua at Madison Square Garden. Joshua’s American debut was turned upside down when Ruiz stopped him in the seventh round to capture three world heavyweight titles.
Six months later, the tables were turned when a risk-averse Joshua boxed his way to a points win in their rematch. Since then, wins over Chris Arreola and Luis Ortiz, along with a draw against Jarrell Miller, have filled Ruiz’s record. The 36-year-old told Covers that he has reunited with former trainer Manny Robles, the man who guided him to victory over Joshua.
And now Ruiz, 35-2-1 (22 KOs), is targeting a number of big names — including Usyk.
“I feel everybody’s just trying to get Usyk. Usyk is the one with the belts. Usyk is the one with the name. And Usyk is the money man. So I think that’s a good fight that I’d be interested in as well.”
He revealed that the two had exchanged messages on social media recently, leaving the former champion hopeful that a clash with the Ukrainian could one day materialise.
“A few weeks ago, I was messaging Usyk. I guess he sent me a message or something. I was like, ‘Hey, much love, brother. I would love to get in the ring with you.’ And then he was like, ‘In God’s timing, we will do it. We will run it up.’ And I was like, ‘Oh, snap.’”
For Ruiz, time is of the essence and he simply cannot afford any more layoffs if he is to get back in the mix.
