The Ruiz post fight interview is a gem, very humble and respectful. He seems a genuinley nice guy. I hope he makes a packet. I don't think he should fight Joshua next, fuck him. Say something like I want it in Mexico, Eddie won't have that, neither will AJ an then fight Wilder instead.
Not sure if the rematch clause allows Ruiz to pick the city, but if he does, definitely Mexico or the US. Hearn has to rematch AJ as he has no where else to go after that humiliating defeat.
UK is one thing, but can you imagine 100,000 screaming Mexican fans in Mexico City?
Helenius lands big US fight
Former heavyweight title challenger Gerald Washington is the next opponent for Robert Helenius. The fight will take place in the state of Minnesota on Saturday, 13 July. The fight will probably be hosted at the classic Minneapolis Armory Arena.
“I have been ready for a fight ever since April. I signed a contract to fight Adam Kownacki but I don’t know why that didn’t happen. Now Washington wants a fight against me and when I have beaten him I will beat Kownacki too,” Helenius says.
Helenius is not keeping his future plans secret.
“Sure, the plan is that we fight Kownacki later, we already have a contract for it. But I have to win this fight first and Washington is a very strong enough opponent – so I have to concentrate fully on this fight right now,” says Helenius.
This will be the first time Helenius has ever boxed in the US.
“I’m really looking forward to the fight and it is good that it will happen in the US so that I can get good fights there in the future. Washington is a big name in the States and that is especially good” says Helenius.
The fight will be broadcast across the United States.
“It’s a very big deal that we get a fight in a country that has gone boxing crazy right now, especially after Anthony Joshua’s loss to American Andy Ruiz in New York,” says Helenius’s manager Markus Sundman.
Gerald Washington has had 23 fights with 19 wins.
“He has met several seriously tough opponents including a world title fight against Deontay Wilder in 2017, where he had fought very well before being knocked out,” says Helenius.
The Helenius team is also hoping for some Nordic support in Minnesota, which is known for its large number of Nordic immigrants.
I haven't followed Washington, but have heard the name before. From his record it looks like he losses when stepping up. Helenius has had a little bit of a bad run, being knocked out by Johann Duhaupas, and losing to Dillian Whyte on short notice. Is coming off a win over Erkan Teper though. Seems like they are quite evenly matched? I will try to remember this one.
Washington has size and fitness but very slow. He did cause Wilder some issues before being dispatched in middle rounds I think. Probably a decent fight for both guys at their level. Helenius should take it if he is physically fit ( I think he has had injury probs if few those loses)