The handlers for former IBF, IBO, WBA, WBO heavyweight champion Andy Ruiz are 'very interested' in a potential fight with Dillian Whyte, according to promoter Eddie Hearn.
Ruiz was last seen in the ring last month in Saudi Arabia, when he lost a twelve round unanimous decision in his rematch with Anthony Joshua.
Whyte appeared on the undercard and won a ten round decision over Mariusz Wach.
Whyte is being positioned to return to the ring on a date in April.
Ruiz's return is unknown, after recently parting ways with trainer Manny Robles.
The more likely scenario is that Whyte will face former world champion Alexander Povetkin first, and then face Ruiz later in the year.
Ruiz has received a lucrative offer to fight Whyte - in the United States.
"Yeah [Ruiz's team] are very interested," Hearn told Sky Sports. "The first offer was for a UK fight, which wasn't enough money. The second fight was a lot more money, and that was for the US fight, which has definitely got their attention.
"It's risky times for Ruiz. If he comes back in the Dillian Whyte fight and loses, where do you go from there? He's probably wanted to get a bit of momentum, but then again, he wants to prove himself. If he fancies the Dillian Whyte fight, that's there.
"I think it will probably be Povektin next for Dillian Whyte and I think it could be Ruiz straight after that. As always, he's throwing himself in the deep end, Dillian Whyte, he's in a mandatory position as he has been for about 62 years, and then who has he beat on the way? [Derek] Chisora twice, Joseph Parker, Oscar Rivas, [Mariusz] Wach last time out. Now he's fighting Povetkin, Ruiz. I mean he's got the best resume of a guy who has never fought for a world title, by a country mile. We want to make sure he gets that shot."