DEONTAY WILDER is reportedly being lined up to fight Andy Ruiz Jr this year.
The two heavyweight boxers are coming back from devastating world title defeats, and are both managed by American Al Haymon.
Ruiz Jr shocked the world when he battered Anthony Joshua in June 2019 to become unified champ.
But six months of partying saw him come in unfit and overweight in the rematch and he was easily outpointed by the Brit.
Wilder drew with Tyson Fury in their first meeting in December 2018.
Their rematch proved one of the most memorable nights in the sport when Fury pummeled the previously undefeated American into a seventh-round stoppage.
Now, according to World Boxing News, Wilder and a slimmed-down Ruiz Jr are on the ‘road to redemption’ and a blockbuster fight ‘in late 2021’.
First up for Ruiz Jr, however, looks to be a scrap against Chris Arreola in April.
Arreola, 40, was knocked out by ex-WBC king Wilder in 2016.
The American has only fought three times since that defeat, with his current record standing at 38–6–1 with two no-contests.
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Like Ruiz, Arreola has not been seen since December 2019, in a losing effort against Adam Kownacki.
And Wilder has been rumoued to be set to fight either Charles Martin or veteran Robert Helenius as he attempts to get back into world title contention.
The 35-year-old, who claimed a heavy ringwalk suit and tampered water led to his defeat to Fury, did have a rematch clause.
But the Gypsy King’s team insist that has expired. And while Wilder is still pursuing that case, he might have to tread a different path for now.
Fury is of course in talks for an undisputed clash against fellow Brit and WBA, WBO and IBF champ Joshua.
