We still await confirmation of just who Tyson Fury will fight in Dublin on August 1, but we do now know who it won’t be.
The rumours that ‘The Gypsy King’ would get in with Andy Ruiz Jr are no more, a match between the Brit and the former IBF, WBA and WBO king will not be happening.
Fury is already taking a major risk by engaging in a warmup fight just over three months out from that eagerly-awaited Anthony Joshua showdown in November. The only way he could make the risk greater is by picking the wrong opponent.
READ MORE: The underrated superpower that will decide Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua
With a £100million payday literally dangling like a golden carrot in front of him, Fury needs to ensure that he gets valuable rounds in August, but comes out unscathed. Seven days before that, Joshua himself will have his own warmup bout against little-known Albanian Kristian Prenga.
Fury vs Ruiz rumours crazy
Against that backdrop, you can imagine why we at Furyjoshua.com thought the Ruiz Jr rumours were absolutely crazy. Why would Fury go in with a man who already stopped Joshua, a former heavyweight champion, so close to the ultimate prize?
Finally the rumours were scotched when Frank Warren, Fury’s promoter, confirmed to iFL TV: “It won’t be Ruiz, it won’t be him. He wants a good type of opponent, like he had last time.
“A recognisable name in the opposite corner to tune up before facing AJ.”
That opponent last time was giant Russian Arslanbek Makhmudov – a huge man with knockout power but somebody who had already been exposed at the highest level. He was perfect for Fury, with Tyson easily defusing his danger and claiming a comfortable decision victory.
Why Fury is making a smart move
Warren and Fury are taking the smart route here, talk of Ruiz as an opponent was lighting up a cigarette next to a petrol pump. Just asking for smoke that nobody needs right now.
Joshua already made the right decision by selecting Prenga as his opponent – yes it will do nothing for his legacy but that is not what this is all about. It’s about putting him spot on for the big one against Fury.
Now Fury himself needs to do the same. ‘Recognisable’ just needs to mean ‘has a profilfe on Boxrec’ and let’s make sure nobody fumbles this enormous bag.
We’ve waited too long for this fight to have it snatched away again. No more.
