Boente just revealed on boxingscene.

Fight to take place March or April

I know it's hardly parker vs ruiz for wbo

But we have the small matter of the p4p #2 vs p4p #4 coming up in 2 weeks time

Anyone got any thoughts?

Joshua-Molina set: ‘Just watch me’ says Molina

By Przemek Garczarczyk
It’s official. Anthony Joshua (17-0, 17 KOs) is set to defend his IBF World Heavyweight title against Eric “The Drummer Boy” Molina (25-3, 19 KOs) at the Manchester Arena on December 10, live on Sky Sports Box Office in the UK and on Showtime in the U.S.
“When it comes to fighting Joshua, many of his opponents were done long before they stepped into ring,” said Molina “’He hits harder than Wilder!,’ he’s this, he’s that. They weren’t ready mentally for Joshua or not ready for the event. I’ve never had this kind of problem. I was slugging with Wilder in his home state, in Alabama. I was fighting Adamek in front of 15,000 fans in Poland. I proved my mental strength before, and I will prove it again in Manchester!”
In the last couple of weeks, we had many conversations about a possible Anthony Joshua bout. You were in, you were out…
…but I always believed that I’m the only logical choice after the Klitschko bout fell through. Even when there were media speculations about this or that name being a favorite, I believed that I will be the last man standing. What was the best in this “yes or no” scenario was a fact, that I was already training for weeks, trying to stay busy, putting together a local boxing show in Texas. No matter what, I wanted to fight before the end of the year. I was spending a lot of time in my gym. Two a day training sessions were a norm. You have to remember, that I was out since the April fight with Tomek Adamek. This Joshua vs. Molina fight would already have happened in the summer if I was injury-free. Now I am.
I never saw you in better physical shape than you were in Kraków. Conditioning was a crucial element in your 10th round knockout. You were still fresh, still strong.
You’re probably right about my conditioning. I want to be around the same weight – 235 pounds, maybe even less – when fighting Joshua. I knew that I will be facing a quick opponent in Adamek. It was a risk to go to Poland, but there was a reason I decided to go there. Not money. The IBF Intercontinental belt was on stake, so I decided that it was worth it, I liked my chances. Although Anthony is a totally different fighter, I want still be fast, react quickly to everything happening in the ring. When I fought Deontay Wilder, I had only 35 days to get ready. It’s about the same now, but thank God that I already had plans to fight in December. But, of course, putting training camp for Joshua, all the logistics, is a different story than getting ready for small event in my backyard.
Your take on “Joshua will take care of him quickly. Too easy”…
Whatever. Whoever it would be after Klitschko, many would still be disappointed – we all knew that. But if you look at the IBF rankings, I was the ONLY logical choice. Simply – I deserved this bout. I told that to the entire world, I told that to my promoter, Don King, I told that to Eddie Hearn. They knew that I will be
ready and willing to fight anyone. No BS. When it comes to fighting Joshua, many of his opponents were done long before they stepped into the ring. ‘He hits harder than Wilder!,’ he’s this, he’s that. They weren’t ready mentally for him or not ready for the event. I never had this kind of problems. I was slugging with Wilder in his home state, in Alabama; I was fighting Adamek in front of 15,000 fans in Poland. Critics shouldn’t assume anything before the fight. In the end, it doesn’t influence me a bit. I have the trust of my family, my circle of friends. I proved my mental strength before. I will do it again in Manchester. Just watch me.

Versions:

Joseph parker from UD12 Carlos Takam

Vs

David Tua from ko1 John Ruiz.

How's it go?

Just wanted to let the forum know that Diehard is having a very special birthday today!

What do you rekon? The usual suspects? Fa,Morgan,Parker jnr?
Fa fights on the 17th so would have to do a deal there. Hemi Ahio if he's still alive..., Berridge?

Thought I'd start this thread:

t’s official. Parker versus Ruiz for vacant WBO title in New Zealand


By David Finger

The biggest story out of the WBO Convention in San Juan Puerto Rico came this morning at the championship and ratings committee meeting. Although there was talk of a possible four-man tournament to fill the recently vacated heavyweight title, which was surrendered by Tyson Fury, Carl Moretti of Top Rank and Parker’s promoter Dean Lonergan announced that the box off was not necessary. They announced that there was an agreement reached for #3 ranked Andy Ruiz to take on #1 Joseph Parker in New Zealand in December and that the winner would accept any mandatory set forth by the WBO for their first title defense.

“The winner of this fight will fight anyone that the WBO decrees to fight next,” Moretti said.

When asked if this included a 120-day deadline both Moretti and Lonergan said that was more than acceptable.

“We are happy with that,” Lonergan said before Moretti added that a 120-day deadline for a mandatory was “no problem.”

Promoter Frank Warren was agreeable as well, asking that the WBO mandate that the winner fight #4 ranked David Haye in that 120-day time frame. He also asked that Tyson Fury be considered as a mandatory after he was medically fit to return to boxing.

“I’m very happy with that,” Lonergan added when asked about a mandatory defense against Tyson Fury upon his return.

The WBO Championship Committee voted unanimously to approve Ruiz and Parker for the vacant WBO heavyweight title, ending speculation as to the status of the vacant heavyweight title.

Bellew vs Flores at 6AM on Sky Pop-up 56.  I'm taping it.

It seems almost a forgone conclusion that Joe will be wbo champion if the fight gets made, but are we looking past Andy Ruiz?

I think it needs to be discussed.

Ruiz has some good skills, fast hands, tidy power, can mix it on the inside, surprising stamina for a man his size.

In addition he has had a decent apprenticeship. His resume doesn't have names, but it has a wide variety of different styles, spoilers, awkward guys.

It reminds me a little of Tyson Fury's resume pre klitschko, and James Degales' between the Groves and Dirrell fights.

Ruiz is supposedly a lazy trainer but perhaps he will rise above that for such an opportunity.

Let's examine the styles and discuss, could Ruiz jr spoil everyone's plans.