By Miguel Rivera
Mexican heavyweight Andy 'Destroyer' Ruiz (29-0, 19KOs) is very eager to get in the ring with Joseph Parker (21-0, 18KOs), for the tentative date of December 27th in New Zealand.
The two sides are still negotiating the terms. They were also waiting for troubled heavyweight Tyson Fury to vacate the WBO heavyweight title. Fury did his part, vacating the belt earlier this week. Parker and Ruiz are the two highest ranked contender in the rankings.
One possible wrench in the plans of Parker-Ruiz, is the World Boxing Organization considering the idea of a four man tournament to establish a new heavyweight champion in their organization.
While the details are being worked out, Ruiz is starting training camp on Monday in Big Bear, California with trainer Abel Sanchez.
He was initially scheduled to face Hughie Fury on October 29th. After a management issue, Ruiz withdrew from the fight. That was irrelevant, because a few weeks later Tyson Fury withdrew from the main event with Wladimir Klitschko - and the entire event was canceled.
"I am very proud right now, because for years we've waited for this moment and it's finally arrived. This is a great opportunity and I am ready to become the first Mexican world champion in this weight division. I'll do everything possible to win that fight. The fight is going to be against Parker for the WBO title, on December 27," Ruiz told ESPN Deportes.
"It's the fight of my life. This is my chance to make history. It's weird how that the fight with Hughie Fury was canceled, and now I have an even better opportunity. I will train very hard with Abel Sanchez in Big Bear."
The Top Rank fighter said that although he was born in California, he always made his life and career in Mexicali, Baja California, and always represented these locations in tournaments, which led him to be a part of the Mexican National Boxing team, and he was close to going to the Olympic Games in Beijing 2008.
"My career was always more in Mexico than in the United States, Mexicali always supported me, so I say I'm from Mexicali, and I will make history for Mexico," Ruiz said.
