In their WBC title eliminator, Andy Ruiz Jr., a former world heavyweight champion, dropped Luis Ortiz three times on route to winning by unanimous decision.
The 32-year-old American, who is of Mexican ancestry, twice knocked Ortiz out in round two before finishing out the 43-year-old Cuban in round seven.
In Los Angeles, California, where Deontay Wilder sat ringside, Ruiz now intends to compete against the other former champion.
Anthony Joshua was astonished when Ruiz won the IBF, WBO, and WBA crowns in June 2019, and the British fighter later regained the titles in their rematch in December.
Since then, Ruiz has defeated Chris Arreola and now Ortiz, with two judges awarding Ruiz victories by scores of 114-111 and 113-112.
It was Ortiz’s third loss in his professional career; his first two losses came against former WBC champion Wilder. Ruiz currently has a record of 35 victories from 37 fights.
Ruiz and Wilder are both promoted by Al Haymon. Wilder fights Robert Helenius next month in his first fight since losing twice to current WBC champion Tyson Fury. Ortiz requested a rematch with Ruiz.
