Former unified heavyweight champion Andy Ruiz Jr. (35-2, 22 KOs) is setting his sights on the big names in the heavyweight division, including Oleksandr Usyk, Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua, and Deontay Wilder for his next fight. Despite his aspirations, Ruiz may need to consider taking another fight to stay active in 2023, as none of these marquee opponents are expected to face him.

Ruiz's inactivity over the past year has hindered his chances of securing these high-profile bouts. He reportedly demanded $20 million to fight Fury and requested a 50-50 split to face Wilder, effectively pricing himself out of these matchups.

"I would like to face Usyk, I would like to face Tyson Fury, and I would like to face Anthony Joshua. We could do the trilogy," Ruiz expressed, outlining his desired opponents.

Four years ago, Ruiz lost his IBF, WBA, and WBO titles to Joshua in their rematch due to inadequate training. This loss set back his career significantly, as he's only fought twice since 2019, defeating Chris Arreola and Luis Ortiz. A lack of motivation to stay active has affected his career, making it challenging to secure the lucrative fights he seeks.

Regarding a potential fight with Deontay Wilder, Ruiz said, "Everyone thinks he's going to knock me out really quick, but you best believe, this chubby Mexican guy don't give up. If you drop me, I'm going to get back up, and somehow, someway, I'm going to win the damn fight."

Ruiz emphasized the importance of a fair offer and avoiding lowball offers, expressing frustration with what he perceives as the undervaluation of Mexican fighters. However, it appears unlikely that the Wilder fight will materialize, as Wilder has moved on to other opponents.

In light of this, Ruiz should consider facing other heavyweight contenders such as Jared Anderson, Frank Sanchez, Filip Hrgovic, Martin Bakole, Arslanbek Makhmudov, Efe Ajagba, Daniel Dubois, or Joseph Parker to rebuild his career.

Ruiz remains eager for significant fights and aims to regain a world championship. He emphasized his readiness to face Wilder but expressed concerns about receiving a lower purse than he believes he deserves.

"Wilder, if he knows that he's going to beat me up, why not give me what I'm asking for?" Ruiz questioned. "If you know it's going to be a quick fight, why not give me what I'm asking for? If he has that much confidence, why not fight me? Every other person you fight, fights scared against you. Not me," Ruiz declared, challenging Wilder to accept the bout.

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