Though it’s not been formally announced, Hughie Fury has congratulated Andy Ruiz Jnr on signing with Zuffa Boxing before very politely calling him out.
Should the reports be confirmed, and the former heavyweight titlist has indeed hooked up with the promoters of the moment, then Fury will be far from alone in recognizing the earning potential in a showdown with the 36-year-old Ruiz.
Ruiz, however, hasn’t exactly set the world alight with his form in recent years. Since his stunning upset victory over Anthony Joshua in June 2019, Ruiz has fought only four times, winning just twice. He lost an immediate rematch six months later, he outpointed Chris Arreola over 12 rounds in 2021, scored the same result over Luis Ortiz the following year, before he returned from another hiatus to draw with Jarrell Miller in August 2024. That was the most recent action from Ruiz, 35-2-1 (22 KOs).
Fury, 31-3 (18 KOs), has been more active since he made his return in 2024 but one must go back to 2021 – and a victory over the fading Christian Hammer – for the last time the Briton fought anyone vaguely noteworthy.
The 31-year-old received his lone title shot in 2017 when he lost a dreary 12-rounder to then-WBO titlist Joseph Parker who was making his second defense after claiming the vacant belt against Ruiz the year before.
“First of all, I wanted to say congratulations to you and your team for signing with Zuffa Boxing,” Fury said in a hopeful social media address to Ruiz.
“Second of all, I’d love to share a ring with you. I do believe you’re one of the best heavyweights out there. Listen, I don’t want to keep picking and choosing my opponents like these other heavyweights are doing; I believe I’m the best and I want to fight the best.
“Listen, me and you now should get the fight on. I remember a few years ago we were supposed to fight before I fought Parker. This fight makes sense to me. So get in touch and may the best man win.”
