Via Brian Webber: Deontay Wilder’s coach, Malik Scott, says he ONLY wants the next Anthony Joshua or Oleksandr Usyk for ‘Copper Bombers’, not Andy Ruiz Jr.
Malik says he doesn’t have a problem with Ruiz, but he just wants to fight the biggest for Deontay, and he feels that Andy doesn’t hit the point.
Unfortunately, it looks like Wilder (43-2-1, 42 KOs) will be up against the next IBF/WBA/WBO heavyweight champion Usyk or Joshua because those two go in different directions.
Joshua (24-3, 22 KOs) could face 41-year-old Chris Arreola next and, if not him, an all-around talented boxer on the same level of wisdom. Wilder’s co-manager Shelly Finkel mentioned last Saturday that he’s waiting for Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn to send them a fight offer.
As for Usyk (20-0, 13 KOs), he is expected to wait until early 2023 before taking on WBC champion Tyson Fury. Whatever interest Usyk has in playing Wilder, he likely lost it after watching him take out Robert Helenius in his first knockout last Saturday night.
“If it were up to me, the will negotiate regarding Deontay and Usyk or him and AJ at a big stadium,” Malik Scott told Vegasinsider about who he wants Deontay Wilder to fight next. “One of those two.
First, it’s not up to Malik Scott to decide who Wilder will fight. That depends on his management and the management of Usyk & Joshua. Also, the networks will have their say in the fight between Wilder and one of those guys.
What makes Ruiz (35-2, 22 KOs) a preferable choice is that he co-manages at PBC with Wilder and fights on the same network. That was more than enough to put former unified heavyweight champion Ruiz in pole position to share the next ring with Wilder.
“I don’t care about him and Andy Ruiz fighting. We have three years left in this game and I want Deontay to be in the top level battles,” Malik said.
If Wilder can get the next Joshua or Usyk, he’ll happily make either of those fights, but it doesn’t look promising. Ruiz may not be a great choice for Wilder, but he’s better than nothing.
“He will be a little excited about Ruiz but not like Usyk or AJ. Those are the only two matches I want for Deontay. I don’t care about anything else,” Malik said.
