Dillian Whyte will NOT be taking on Andy Ruiz Jr in August showdown, confirms Mexican boxer’s lawyer… with the Body Snatcher most likely to face undefeated American Jermaine Franklin next month
- Dillian Whyte’s next fight is scheduled to take place at the end of August
- Andy Ruiz Jr will not be facing the Body Snatcher’s, says the Mexican’s lawyer
- American boxer Jermaine Franklin remains the most likely contender for Whyte
- Whyte was briefly mentioned as a new July 24 challenge for Deontay Wilder
Dillian Whyte will not be taking on Andy Ruiz Jr later this summer, says the latter’s lawyer, with American boxer Jermaine Franklin still the front runner to take on the Body Snatcher.
The Brixton-based boxer is waiting for confirmation of the opponent for his next fight, which will take place at the end of August, as he prepares to take the long route towards a world title fight.
After some talk that Ruiz, who defeated Anthony Joshua in a shock New York victory in the summer of 2019, would take on Whyte this summer, the Mexican’s attorney – David A. Garcia – quickly poured cold water over the rumours.
Dilian Whyte (above) will not be taking on Andy Ruiz Jr in his next fight at the end of August
Ruiz Jr’s (right) lawyer, David A. Garcia, confirmed there is not plan in place to take on Whyte
Garcia told Sky Sports: ‘No, we are not holding talks regarding a potential fight with Dillian Whyte.
‘Although I believe that Andy would welcome the opportunity to fight Mr. Whyte one day.’
Since losing to Joshua in a Saudi Arabia rematch at the end of 2019, Ruiz has only fought once – defeating American Chris Arreola on a unanimous points decision in May of this year.
American boxer Jermaine Franklin (above) remains the most likely contender to take on Whyte
The denial from Ruiz’s camp means undefeated American Jermaine Franklin remains the most likely opponent for Whyte in the August showdown event.
The 27-year-old has won all 20 of his fights, including 13 knockouts, but none of his opponents are at the level of Whyte, who has only lost two out of 30 bouts in his career.
Whyte was briefly considered by Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hear as a last-minute stand-in for Tyson Fury in the July 24 bout with Deontay Wilder after the Gypsy King pulled out due to a coronavirus diagnosis.
But the trilogy fight between Fury and Wilder has now been rearranged for October 9, and with the winner of that contest taking on the victor of Joshua’s bout with Oleksandr Usyk, Whyte is in for a long wait for a title shot.
Whyte last fought last March when he defeated Alexander Povetkin (right) in Gibraltar
Joshua and Fury were meant to face in a ‘Battle of the Brits’ unification bout that would have brought all five heavyweight belts together, but an arbitration court ruled that the Gypsy King has to fight Wilder for a third time before anyone else.
Whyte, meanwhile, last fought in March when he took on Alexander Povetkin in a Gilbraltar rematch, with the Body Snatcher knocking out the Russian in the fourth round.