Johnny Nelson has been talking about a potential fight between Oleksandr Usyk and Andy Ruiz and he has a unique view on how it might play out.
Usyk is one of the greatest boxers of this, and potentially of any, generation. The Olympic gold medalist cleaned out the cruiserweight division to become undisputed back in 2018 and then moved up to do the same at heavyweight, not once, but twice. Along the way, he beat Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois twice each.
He has not fought since July and has since vacated his WBO belt rather than face Fabio Wardley, instead going after Deontay Wilder.
Wilder, however, has signed to fight Derek Chisora and so now Usyk is being linked with former unified ruler Ruiz.
Speaking to talkSPORT Boxing, Nelson broke down how he sees that contest.
“I don’t think a fight with Ruiz is [easily winnable], you know. He’s got fast hands. Even though he doesn’t look the part, I think he gives him a hard time. He’s tough.
“His appetite changed once he got the ‘AJ’ money; that was it, his head had gone. But he’s been wealthy enough now to get used to it so hopefully that appetite has come back again. He’s a dangerous handful, and that’s why hes’ in the who needs him club.”
Ruiz has been relatively inactive since he lost his rematch and three of the four major world titles to Anthony Joshua in December 2019. He has beaten Chris Arreola and Luiz Ortiz and drawn with Jarrell Miller in August 2024, so inactivity may be his downfall.
