By Jake Donovan
Promociones del Pueblo did its part to line up Hugo Ruiz with a lucrative showdown versus former four-division champ Nonito Donaire. The Mexico-based promotional outfit won the right to promote the fight after submitting the highest offer during Friday's purse bid hearing at World Boxing Council (WBC) headquarters in Mexico City.
Whether or not the fight actually happens is up to the Donaire side.
A winning bid of $537,000 will be split between the two fighters, with Promociones del Pueblo on the hook to supply the date and venue for the 122 lb. title eliminator. The bout—by design—will produce a mandatory challenger for unbeaten titlist Leo Santa Cruz.
However, Donaire's side has already hinted at moving in a different direction. Early plans had Top Rank hoping to secure the rights to the fight and stage it on a July 18 show in Macau, China. Such hopes were contingent on winning the purse bid or at least negotiating a fair deal with Ruiz' side.
Talks broke earlier this month, prompting the WBC to move forward with the May 22 purse bid. Ruiz remains committed to eventually challenging for the WBC title, with his handlers refusing to allow the fight to fall by the wayside.
“We will continue with process of purse bid, and then they can decide to pass on Ruiz if they wish,” Oswaldo Kuchle of Promociones del Pueblo - Ruiz’ promoter – told BoxingScene.com on Thursday evening when learning of Top Rank's plans for Donaire.
Should Donaire pass on the fight—and a payday of more than $265,000—Ruiz will be summoned to face the next challenger in line. There is also the possibility of being accelerated to the mandatory position and challenging Santa Cruz. Another scenario would have Ruiz fighting for a vacant title, should Santa Cruz elect to vacate and move up to featherwehgiht, which he has hinted at being the case in recent months.
“We will now ask the WBC to consider Ruiz for the mandatory challenger for Leo Santa Cruz,” Kuchle said, assuming the Donaire fight in fact does not happen. “We trust that the Board of Governors of the WBC will decide what’s best for the division.”
Jake Donovan is the Managing Editor of BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox