The September 4 heavyweight encounter between Andy Ruiz Jr and Luis Ortiz is now a World Title knockout.
Crypto.Com Arena, Los Angeles will have a pit war former heavyweight champion against a two-time title challenger.
And now the showdown takes on even more significance with the news that the WBC has ordered its removal.
#RuizOrtiz WBC removal dispute https://t.co/tjfd0lJJs1
– World Boxing Council (@WBCBoxing) July 27, 2022
As things go, Tyson Fury is the current WBC champion with former title holder Deontay Wilder as the number one challenger.
The ‘Bronze Bomber’ Has Been Linked To A War Against Ruiz and with both under the same ad banner, the pay-per-view capability shouldn’t be too hard to implement.
If Ruiz beats Ortiz, a potential final knockout against Wilder could be enough to lure the Alabama boxer back into the sport.
Since losing to Fury in the third fight last year The 37-year-old has yet to make a decision on his boxing future.
His manager Shelly Finkel believes Wilder will return but denies claims he will fight Robert Helenius in October.
Ortiz has competed for the WBC title twice. The first time was in March 2018 at the Barclays Center, Brooklyn. Candidate of the War of the Year saw Cubans drop three times before being stopped at 10th placeorder ring.
Eighteen months later, the two meet again, this time at the MGM Grand, Las Vegas, where Wilder’s nuclear punch power ended the previous issue in year 7.order.
The defeated 43-year-old then went on to win the next two matches, including an injury-time win over IBF champion Charlies Martin in January.
Ruiz is most remembered at the age of 21st century of frustration against Anthony Joshua at Madison Square Garden, New York in June 2019. Four knocks were shared, two of which came in the 7th match.order and the final round of the war.
Six months later, Ruiz lost his three titles in tame fashion in Diriyah when a performance of a thinking man from Joshua earned him the points and became a two-time heavyweight champion.
The 32-year-old returns victorious in 2021 by beating Chris Arreola.
