ANY hopes Andy Ruiz Jr may have had for a blockbuster bout with Deontay Wilder will have to be put on hold.
This comes after the Mexican-American heavyweight, 34, was forced to undergo surgery on a torn rotator cuff.
Ruiz shared a video on Instagram showing Dr Steve Mora conducting his surgery.
The post was accompanied by the caption: "I want to thank God for getting me through another successful surgery and to Dr. @stevemoramd.
"To all my Fans & Supporters, thank you for your patience during my recovery. It means a lot to me.
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"Remember, this setback is only a minor obstacle on the path to my major comeback."
Ruiz later added in the comments: "Don't worry we coming back strong be patient this was bothering me for long time I had to get surgery to perform my best."
Exactly when this comeback will take place remains unclear, with Dr Mora adding on his Instagram Story that he was "looking forward to seeing him back in the ring very soon!".
As for who Ruiz could face next, he appears to have had his sights set on the Bronze Bomber for some time.
Back in July, as negotiations continued between the two, Wilder said that Ruiz would have his "brain splattered," adding that his potential opponent had "a lot of weight to lose, man," as per World Boxing News.
Ruiz wasn't coy when responding, telling Wilder: "This f***ing fat chubby kid is about to hammer your f***ing a*** down. Let's get it, baby. Come on!"
In October, Ruiz called out 38-year-old Wilder again when speaking to Fight Hub TV. saying: "Me and him [Wilder] need to negotiate. We need to talk man-to-man, Let's fight.
"If it's not 50-50, let's negotiate whatever it is. Let's make it happen. I'm going to beat your a**e."
Wilder's trainer Malik Scott had also admitted that his next opponent was likely to be Ruiz.
Scott said: "Andy Ruiz, probably at this point. When you are the hardest puncher in the sport's history, it's very hard for guys to want to fight you.
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"I'm going to say a number. Fighters would rather stay poor than make four million. That's a tragedy.
"They'd rather ask for 15 to 20 million knowing it's not on the table.
"They know this money is not on the table for them, but they'd rather ask for that. It's insane."
Ruiz last took to the ring in September 2022 when he defeated Luis Ortiz via unanimous decision in Los Angeles.
