With the next era of the heavyweight division following Alexander Usyk’s title vacay, Eddie Hearn believes he has a heavyweight that could take over and dethrone the likes of Agit Cabayel and Daniel Dubois.
Usyk relinquished the WBA, WBC and IBF world heavyweight titles last month, while Murat Gasiev and Kabael were promoted to world champions, while The IBF ordered the bout to determine a new title holder for their now vacant belt.
As a result, promoters around the world will be hoping they have a man who can take control of both the division and its belts for the next few years, with Frank Warren – the promoter of WBO world champion Daniel Dubois, Kabayel and 21-year-old sensation Moses Itauma – looking the best.
However, Eddie Hearn has said IFL TV that he believes he can give his longtime rival a run for his money after Matchroom Boxing signed former unified world champion Andy Ruiz Jr. to a contract.
“I think he’s going to be a serious threat in the (heavyweight) division.
“He’s got a huge fan base, he’s a big name, he’s a very, very good fighter and we all know Andy Ruiz is serious.
“When I look at heavyweight right now, you look at champions. Gassiev, WBA, (Ruiz) beats him.
“I also think he beats Daniel Dubois and (former WBO belt holder) Fabio Wardley. I believe he can beat Agito Cabayel.
“Don’t get me wrong, he hasn’t boxed in two years and he’s going to have a comeback fight in early September, but I think he beat those guys.”
Ruiz will face Poland’s Damian Knyb on Friday, September 4 in Newarkbacked by an intriguing co-main event pitting the middleweight duo of Vito Melnicki Jr. and Austin “Amu” Williams.