How things will continue for Oleksandr Usyk after the failed world championship fight against Tyson Fury is almost certain. What the plans of the “Gypsy King” look like, however, is not yet clear. However, promoter Bob Arum brought a possible opponent into play, which certainly has its appeal.
While Oleksandr Usyk has already confirmed that he will probably face WBA mandatory challenger Daniel Dubois next after the failed duel against Tyson Fury, the future plans of the “Gypsy King” are still uncertain. Promoter Bob Arum has said that a fight in the summer is still on the agenda. Opponent should be a boxer who was himself a heavyweight world champion.
“He [Fury] was on holiday in Italy with his family and is now back in England. We’re talking to him and looking for the best available opponent for him this summer. Maybe it will be Andy Ruiz,” Arum revealed in an interview with “Cornerman Boxing” that the “Destroyer” could be the boxer who becomes Usyk’s replacement.
Ruiz gained worldwide fame in June 2019 when he surprisingly and sensationally prevailed against the then world champion Anthony Joshua. The 33-year-old has been in the ring two more times since losing the rematch against “AJ”. In May 2021 he won unanimously on points against Chris Arreola, followed by a points win against Luis Ortiz in September 2022. Since then, the “Destroyer” has been looking for a new opponent.
If there is a fight between Fury and Ruiz and the WBC champion prevails, according to Arum, a duel against Oleksandr Usyk could be worked on again.
“Both could meet in Saudi Arabia in November or December so that we have a heavyweight world champion,” the experienced promoter did not want to rule out the possibility of the hoped-for unification fight between the two superstars.