Peter Fury, uncle and trainer for undefeated heavyweight Hughie Fury, has revealed that Andy Ruiz withdrew on Tuesday from their scheduled fight next month in Manchester.

Hughie was set to make the first defence of his WBO Intercontinental championship against Ruiz on the undercard of Tyson Fury’s eagerly-anticipated rematch with Wladimir Klitschko at the Manchester Arena on Saturday, the 29th of October. The fight was going to televised on BoxNation and potentially clips on HBO.

Fury, 20-0 10 KO’s, claimed his first professional title in the WBO against Fred Kassi at London’s Copper Box Arena back in April. The fight with Ruiz was going to be an eliminator for a mandatory fight for the WBO, which Hughie's cousin Tyson currently owns.

California resident Ruiz holds an explosive record of 28 wins from 28 fights, with 19 coming via knockout. He holds a No.3 ranking with the WBO. Ruiz was in action on September 10 and won a ten round unanimous decision over Franklin Lawrence.

With the heavyweight division in a new era after the Klitschko brother’s long dominance, Fury is in a perfect position to capitalise. Promoter Frank Warren is confident his heavyweight prodigy has what it takes to make it to the very top of the division.

“Hughie is a fighting man; he’s done things the hard way. 20 fights in three years is a phenomenal record for a heavyweight fighter. We know he’s got gas and he’s been tested against some awkward opponents. The division is certainly opening up and I can see Hughie being a dominant figure for years to come.

“He has won all 20 of his professional fights with a debilitating skin condition so how good is he going to be now he is fully fit?”