By Steve Kim

There is a lot of discussion over a heavyweight bout between Andy Ruiz and Joseph Parker (21-0, 18KOs), which could be contested for the vacant WBO title.

And as he prepares for this fight, the 27-year old Ruiz - who has battled the bulge rather unsuccessfully in the past - is back up in Big Bear, California with trainer Abel Sanchez, who is best known for his work with middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin.

"We are reunited," confirmed Sanchez to BoxingScene.com. "He was in my camp for about five weeks probably about four months ago and that's where he lost the weight. He lost 36 pounds in five weeks."

"He had some issues with management so he left but he promised that if he got a fight, a real fight, that he'd come back because he'd have his own money to pay for the things he needed to pay for up there."

For much of his career Ruiz (29-0, 19 KO's) has been trained by Jeff Grmoja.

According to Sanchez, Ruiz will be staying at the housing facility at his Summit Gym.

Top Rank (for Ruiz) and Duco Events (for Parker) are still negotiating the terms, with a tentative date of December 27th in New Zealand being mentioned. The potential fight received a big boost a few days ago, when heavyweight Tyson Fury vacating the WBO heavyweight title. Parker and Ruiz are the two highest ranked contender in the rankings.

Everything depends on the path set down by the World Boxing Organization. They are considering the idea of a four man tournament to establish a new heavyweight champion in their organization. Parker's promoter, and likely Top Rank, will be present at the WBO's annual convention to argue their case. The convention will begin next week in Puerto Rico. 

Steve Kim is the news editor for BoxingScene.com.