Andy Ruiz has welcomed a fight with Zhilei Zhang and is eager to settle the score from their amateur rivalry.
The pair met as unpaid fighters when Zhang got the decision but both men now find themselves as heavyweight contenders looking to secure a world title in 2024.
Zhang made a huge splash in 2023 when he registered two impressive stoppages over the previously unbeaten Joe Joyce.
The victories enabled Zhang to become WBO interim champion and he’s hopeful he can secure a fight against either Tyson Fury or Oleksandr Usyk next year. If not, a showdown with Ruiz could be a significant bout in the division.
“I think Zhang did an awesome job. Joe Joyce is like a robot. He just throws punches and doesn’t even move,” said Ruiz when speaking to Manouk Akopyan’s YouTube channel.
“I think Zhang is a really good fighter. That’s a good fight that I’ll take too. I lost a decision [in the amateurs.] I think I did really well, but they gave the fight to him.”