While Francis Ngannou Gets Ranked in Top 10, WBC Removes Andy Ruiz Jr. From Their Heavyweight Rankings

Are we seeing the end of Andy Ruiz Jr.’s stint in the boxing ring? New ratings of the WBC suggest that the heavyweight fighter is out of the running to be the next world champion of the weight class. This change is also accompanied by the entry of a new fighter in the list.

It’s been more than a year since Andy Ruiz entered the ring. In his fight against Luis Ortis, he emerged victorious through a unanimous decision. The September fight was notable for his impressive performance. He managed to score knockdowns in rounds 2 and 7. Yet, when it elapsed, he was manifesting a change in his destiny. In months to follow, talks would emerge of him planning to leave the sport. Now, with WBC’s new rankings, the manifestation seems to be taking its course.

The advent of Ngannou, and a closure for Andy Ruiz Jr.

Earlier, the WBC suspended the order issued for a mandatory fight between Ruiz and Deontay Wilder. In a press release, they said, “The WBC Board of Governors has ruled to cancel the order which was issued during the last annual convention calling for a final elimination bout between Deontay Wilder and Andy Ruiz Jr to determine the mandatory challenger of the division.” Now, reports have emerged that the ‘Destroyer’ has been eliminated from the rankings, a direct corroboration of his inaction in the boxing realm. Lately, there have also been reports of the fighter trying his luck for the big screen, claiming that he has been seconded by his dad.

After the controversial Tyson Fury–Francis Ngannou clash on the 28th of October, the latter seems to have found his way into the WBC rankings. This inclusion of the Cameroonian-French fighter indicates his rising clout in the realm. After all, he managed to hold Fury from registering a sweeping victory. He even knocked the WBC champion in the third round. His impressive performance has pushed him up the ranks in public opinion, and now even in the WBC’s official list.

The onset of the Ngannou era

‘The Predator’s’ loss on fight night was not a scathing one. In fact, for someone who had never boxed before, he managed to lose only through a split decision. That too, against a world champion. That night he might have gone home a loser, but deep down he had sparked a sentiment in the boxing realm. It was a sense of inclusion for Ngannou, a fighter who had now won hearts.

His victory did indeed promise him the big fights of the boxing realm. In days to follow, he’d receive an offer from ace promoter Eddie Hearn, asking if he’d fight Anthony Joshua in a recreation of the iconic Rumble in the Jungle (Remember when Muhammad Ali won against George Foreman in the backdrop of Africa?). But that was not the only silver lining in his loss to ‘The Gypsy King’. The former MMA fighter has now revealed that for his maiden boxing bout, he earned way more than what he did in any of his UFC fights. He said, “It’s at least more than everything that I have earned in my life, in my career.”

Also Read: “When Does [Jake Paul] Get His Top 10 Rankings?”: Francis Ngannou Getting Ranked by WBC Sparks Outrage Among Boxing World

Ngannou’s exit from the UFC came after his relationship with President Dana White deteriorated. He fought under the promotion company for over 10 years until he finally pulled back to explore other combat avenues. Speaking about the contractual issues he had with the UFC, he added, “Also the conditions and the terms would have prevented me from doing boxing, which was one of my ultimate dreams that I wanted to do.” The UFC was ready to pay more than he was getting before, but the fighter felt it was not the right amount.

Today, after drawing the curtains on his fabulous career in the octogen, he explores the ring. After having a debut like nobody else’s, it is certain that his time in the ring will be the onset of a new era in itself. What do you think of the new WBC ratings? Let us know in the comments section below.

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