ANDY RUIZ JR is on course to face Filip Hrgovic following a purse bid order from the IBF.
The former unified heavyweight champion was seemingly set for a huge domestic dust-up with Deontay Wilder after the WBC ordered the bout last November.
But the fight was thrown into jeopardy when Wilder began to entertain "all sorts of different offers" due to an unsatisfactory purse.
And the fight is seemingly now well and truly off the cards following the IBF's push for an interim title fight between Ruiz Jr and Hrgovic.
IBF president Daryl People said in a letter: “On January 11, 2023, the IBF ordered Filip Hrgovic and Andy Ruiz to begin negotiations for the IBF Heavyweight Interim Championship Title.”
“An agreement could not be reached and on February 13, 2013, Mr. Nisse Sauerland, representing Filip Hrgovic, requested an immediate purse bid.”
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The victor of the bout will put themselves in contention to face the winner of Tyson Fury's undisputed heavyweight title fight with Oleksandr Usyk.
The pair are on course to face one another in April, although a deal has yet to be finalised.
Undefeated Ukranian Usyk holds the IBF title, which he prised from Anthony Joshua's clutches in September 2021.
Hrgovic is currently the mandatory challenger for the strap following a controversial decision win over Zhang Zhilei on the undercard of Usyk vs Joshua 2.
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AJ conqueror Ruiz Jr 33, hasn't fought since his decision victory over Luis Ortiz last September.
Ruiz Jr hasn't spoken publicly about potential bouts with Hrgovic or Wilder.
Bronze Bomber Wilder, however, told ES News: “Andy is a good fighter.
"I like his speed, his willingness, and his bravery, but it’s not going to be enough for me, though.
“He’s going to have to put an extra recipe on top of everything I named.
"He’s going to have to put some more on it because I am the man. I am that man.
"That’s why they fear me. Do you understand?
"With me, you’re going to need extra help, and I’m not just talking about you by yourself.”
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