Eddie Hearn Backs Andy Ruiz Jr. To Defeat Deontay Wilder In Potential Fight

Eddie Hearn believes Andy Ruiz Jr. would beat Deontay Wilder if they do end up fighting in 2023.

After Wilder announced his comeback he and Ruiz Jr. both campaigned to fight one another. Ruiz Jr. did his part by beating Luis Ortiz and now Wilder is set to face Robert Helenius on Saturday. If ‘The Bronze Bomber’ defeats Helenius and it sets up the Ruiz Jr. fight, Hearn believes Ruiz Jr. would get his hand raised.

“I seen Andy Ruiz call out Tyson Fury. No one ain’t fighting Andy Ruiz in a hurry. He’s a handful, and we found that at Madison Square Garden, and AJ dealt with him in Saudi Arabia. He’s a handful,” Hearn told The DAZN Boxing Show (via BoxingScene). “I think Wilder-Ruiz is a great fight. We’ll see what happens in the Helenius fight, but if Wilder wins that fight, I would love to see Andy Ruiz against Deontay Wilder. I really fancy Andy Ruiz in that fight. He’s the smaller guy, winging those shots over the top if he can get on the inside against Wilder. Wilder can beat anybody on his day. He has great power.

“What I’m saying is Andy Ruiz is a nightmare for tall guys because his movement is so good, and it’s difficult for small guys to get on the inside,” Hearn continued. “He does get on the inside, and he’s not afraid to let them go when he gets there, and he’s not afraid to trade. But Wilder has the power to take anyone out, including Andy Ruiz, but it’s a great fight.”

A potential fight between Deontay Wilder and Andy Ruiz Jr. would be an intriguing matchup and one that many fans would have a hard time picking. The winner would also likely get a title shot which only adds to the fight.

Who do you think would win, Deontay Wilder or Andy Ruiz Jr.?