A former heavyweight titleholder and one of boxing’s fastest-rising prospects may be headed toward an intriguing collision. Andy Ruiz Jr., who last fought in August 2024, said he is open to facing unbeaten British contender Moses Itauma as he looks toward his next move in the division.
That matchup would carry real intrigue on both sides of the Atlantic. Ruiz remains one of the sport’s most recognizable heavyweights because of his stunning upset of Anthony Joshua, while Itauma has quickly become one of the division’s most closely watched young talents and a name many insiders see as a future title threat.
Ruiz said he believes a fight with Itauma would turn into a shootout and made it clear he likes his chances against younger heavyweights. He also said his time away from the ring may ultimately work in his favor, arguing that while others have absorbed damage, taken losses, and gone through difficult stretches, he expects to return refreshed, highly motivated, and different from the version fans saw before.
For the division, the stakes are obvious. If Ruiz beats Itauma, he instantly re-enters the conversation as a serious player in the crowded heavyweight picture and proves he still has relevance against the new generation. If Itauma wins, it would be the kind of veteran scalp that could accelerate him from prospect status to legitimate contender.
From an American perspective, Ruiz still has name value, but he also has something to prove after long stretches of inactivity. Itauma, meanwhile, would have to show he can handle a durable, experienced heavyweight with fast hands and big-fight composure. That is often the test that separates exciting prospects from real contenders.
Ruiz’s most recent outing came in August 2024, when he fought Jarrell Miller to a draw. Whether this potential fight comes together or not, it would be a meaningful measuring-stick bout—and one to watch closely if the heavyweight division is about to turn the page to its next wave.