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MY question is this. And I like Both Parker and Ruiz. But Bob Arum is sending him to NZ to contest the WBO Heavyweight World title (not done deal but looking likely) WHAT is it that Arum sees as his upside?

Yes Ruiz is 28-0 and was about time he stepped up and faced a Top 15 type fighter, hes capable albeit a little lazy in my opinion but I just cant see him beating Parker in NZ. So is it the $$? Arum is cashing him out realizing he wont ever crack on? Perhaps he hasn't gained enough of a foot hold in the mexican community stateside to make him a viable option for him over there any more?? Wheres Arum's upside? As he's not the type of guy to build prospects like Ruiz just to send them offshore to be an 'opponent'

Arum did suggest in a late 2014 interview that it's hard to sell Ruiz, because even when he's winning people don't take him seriously due to his weight.

And maybe he likes Ruiz's chances here, at least better than he would against the other champs. Parker has said that they sparred before, and the way he describes the session it seems like Ruiz did fairly well. I have to lol at Arum recently describing Parker as slow though.

Arum is as cunning as a fox he knows this will be Ruiz best and most likely only legit chance at being a Heavyweight Champ with a Title the big gun's will come looking for and in Bobs mind that $ in his bank..................Greedy Old Man Good Luck Andy I think you'll need it

Andy is a complete hype job.

the huge record is getting embarrassing

he should have stepped up about 4 years ago.

parker has been busy and that will be in his favour, cant see the 6ft out of shape ruiz getting anywhere near to him...or out of the range of parkers dynamite fists.

N2 Shape wrote:MY question is this. And I like Both Parker and Ruiz. But Bob Arum is sending him to NZ to contest the WBO Heavyweight World title (not done deal but looking likely) WHAT is it that Arum sees as his upside?

Yes Ruiz is 28-0 and was about time he stepped up and faced a Top 15 type fighter, hes capable albeit a little lazy in my opinion but I just cant see him beating Parker in NZ. So is it the $$? Arum is cashing him out realizing he wont ever crack on? Perhaps he hasn't gained enough of a foot hold in the mexican community stateside to make him a viable option for him over there any more?? Wheres Arum's upside? As he's not the type of guy to build prospects like Ruiz just to send them offshore to be an 'opponent'

The upside is that Parker is beatable (and I'm a Kiwi) and if Ruiz wins, which he has a chance of doing, he gets the WBO title, give him and easy defence and then unification against Wilder/Povetkin, Joshua or ???

Parker just keeps on improving and is willing to learn and improve.

The only time Parker has lost rounds was against Takam and
since that fight Parker has improved even more from that character building war with Takam.

If Parker has a good training camp then he can beat anyone in the world.

It is sounding more and more likely Tyson Fury will relinquish his titles before being stripped of them. If that is the outcome, his titles (including the WBO) will be vacant in a matter of days.

I guess, boxing being boxing, there is no guarantee Parker and Ruiz will be sanctioned for the vacant WBO title. But it is a very possible outcome and we should know very soon.

A lot of people underestimating Ruiz here! Good solid fighter, fast hands and a punch resistance to die for, I get it he's a little lazy and doesn't look the part, but still a world class operator, and I hope he fulfills his potential!

In the know 85 wrote:A lot of people underestimating Ruiz here! Good solid fighter, fast hands and a punch resistance to die for, I get it he's a little lazy and doesn't look the part, but still a world class operator, and I hope he fulfills his potential!

I'm not underrating Ruiz. I'm sure he didn't get to 29-0 by accident.

There are renewed doubts that Parker vs Ruiz would be for the WBO title.

WBO president Francisco "Paco" Valcarcel has told ESPN boxing writer Dan Rafael that the organisation may set up a 4 man box-off for the vacant title involving the 4 leading available contenders.

That would have fights involving No 1 Parker (21-0, 18 KOs), No 2 Klitschko (64-4, 54 KOs), No 3 Ruiz (29-0, 19 KOs) and No 4 David Haye (28-2, 26 KOs).

The WBO are expected to discuss the scenario at their annual conference in Puerto Rico next week.