Andy Ruiz Jr could be stripped of one of his world titles if his rematch with Anthony Joshua goes ahead.
The Mexican-American boxer shocked the British heavyweight in June when he won with a seventh-round knockout.
The victory saw Ruiz take Joshua’s WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO heavyweight titles at Madison Square Garden in New York.
An immediate rematch looks likely and promoter Eddie Hearn says it will be “finalised very soon” for December 14 in the UK.
But World Boxing News reports that a spanner has been thrown into the works as Kubrat Pulev is the mandatory IBF challenger.
The Bulgarian is back from his ban for kissing a reporter after he completed a sexual harassment prevention course.
If the IBF call for that bout to happen, then it could either push the Joshua rematch, Ruiz could relinquish the belt or he could be stripped of it.
Bob Arum, founder and CEO of Top Rank, which co-promotes Pulev along with Epic Sports said: “We’ve been waiting patiently. The time is now.
“Andy Ruiz has an obligation to fight No1 mandatory IBF contender Kubrat Pulev.”
And Pulev himself added: “I was ready to face Anthony Joshua in November. Now I’m eager to challenge Andy Ruiz.
“I will fight Ruiz anywhere in the world. Let’s make it happen.”
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