Six years after the matchup was first floated, the boxing world is once again circling the same question: Are we finally getting Deontay Wilder vs. Andy Ruiz Jr., or is this the last stop before retirement for both former champions? The renewed buzz comes after Wilder’s longtime adviser, Shelly Finkel, told WBN there was “nothing to report,” despite previously indicating Wilder would fight again in 2025 following his June knockout of Tyrrell Herndon. Now, with Finkel pointing to a 2026 return and Wilder already 40 years old, urgency is becoming impossible to ignore.
The slowdown wasn’t part of Wilder’s plan. He had targeted marquee names — Anthony Joshua, Oleksandr Usyk, or another elite contender - but momentum vanished, replaced by stalled negotiations and mounting uncertainty. Ruiz re-entered the picture after an impromptu face-off with Wilder in September at Allegiant Stadium, where the two exchanged words and posed for fans. Ruiz teased the moment instantly - “Coming soon to a ring near you” - while Wilder shared the post himself, showing at least some interest.
This matchup isn’t a new idea. WBN originally reported back in 2019 that Wilder–Ruiz was Al Haymon’s top priority, especially after Ruiz shocked Joshua to win three heavyweight belts. Haymon wanted to keep the entire heavyweight championship under the PBC umbrella — a vision destroyed when Ruiz lost the rematch in December of that year. Even after Fury ended Wilder’s unbeaten run, the fight remained a major PPV target, resurfacing in 2022 when both men scored big wins on the same night. Contract issues stalled it again, and by the time negotiations reopened, Ruiz’s deals had shifted and Wilder’s activity declined.
Now, in late 2025, the stakes are higher than ever. Wilder has fought only once this year, Ruiz just once since 2021. Both are grasping for one more meaningful run. A clash between them might be the only path left for either man to stay relevant. For fans, it still carries the promise of a violent, unpredictable heavyweight firefight.
A February or March date remains in play, with Netflix’s potential involvement being discussed. Nothing is official yet - but the renewed engagement, subtle hints, and rising public appetite suggest that Wilder vs. Ruiz is closer now than at any time since 2019. And if it doesn’t land in 2026, it’s likely a fight that will fade out for good.
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