Eddie Hearn believes that former unified world heavyweight champion Andy Ruiz Jr has the attributes to overcome former WBC champion Deontay Wilder.
The two fighters are set to meet in a final eliminator for Tyson Fury's WBC world heavyweight title at some stage in 2023, and Hearn gave his prediction for what should be an exciting matchup.
"I see Andy Ruiz as someone that can beat Wilder, I really do. I think he's got the IQ to beat him," Hearn told iFL TV.
"Obviously we know how hard Wilder punches, he's so exciting and dangerous. It's a brilliant fight, I guess that will happen early next year."
Hearn has had previous experience working with Ruiz Jr following Anthony Joshua's two bouts with the 33-year-old in 2019.
Ruiz Jr produced a huge upset against AJ in June 2019, stopping the British star and becoming a unified heavyweight champion, but it was Joshua who would triumph in the rematch, beating Ruiz Jr convincingly on points and becoming a two-time world heavyweight championship in the process.
With the rivalry now one win apiece, there are some calls for a trilogy fight, but while Hearn hasn't ruled out the possibility of a third clash between Joshua and Ruiz Jr, he believes a potential fight with Wilder will take precedent.
"I can't lie the Wilder vs AJ fight is a much bigger fight than the Ruiz trilogy in my opinion but we'll see what happens."