Sports 4 min read By Alice Ashford
Tyson Fury in Talks for Bare Knuckle Mega Event With Andy Ruiz
Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship CEO David Tetreault has confirmed active negotiations to stage a bare knuckle bout between Tyson Fury and former heavyweight champion Andy Ruiz, though Fury must first face Anthony Joshua on December 11.
Tyson Fury is in active negotiations to compete in a bare knuckle boxing mega event against former heavyweight world champion Andy Ruiz, according to the chief executive of Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship.
David Tetreault, who leads the promotion, said talks are ongoing with both fighters for a bout that would represent one of the most high-profile crossovers into bare knuckle competition. The event would pit Fury, a former unified heavyweight champion, against Ruiz, who famously handed Anthony Joshua his first professional defeat in 2019 to claim the WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO titles.
Any deal, however, is contingent on Fury first fulfilling his contractual obligation to face Anthony Joshua on December 11. That long-awaited all-British showdown is already scheduled and is expected to be one of the biggest boxing events of the year, with both fighters having signed for the bout.
The revelation adds a new dimension to Fury's post-boxing career planning. At 37, the «Gypsy King» has repeatedly hinted at exploring opportunities beyond traditional boxing, and bare knuckle fighting has emerged as a lucrative alternative for high-profile names seeking new challenges. Ruiz, 36, has also been linked with a return to the ring after a period of inactivity, and a bare knuckle bout would offer both men a substantial payday outside the sport's established structures.
Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship has grown rapidly since its founding, positioning itself as the leading bare knuckle promotion globally. The organisation has attracted former boxing champions and MMA veterans, but securing a fighter of Fury's stature would mark its most significant signing to date. Tetreault's comments suggest the promotion is prepared to invest heavily to make the fight happen.
Fury's immediate focus, however, remains on Joshua. The December 11 clash is expected to generate tens of millions of pounds in revenue and will likely determine the future trajectory of both fighters' careers. A victory for Fury would strengthen his bargaining position for any subsequent bare knuckle venture, while a defeat could complicate negotiations.
Ruiz, meanwhile, has not competed since a unanimous decision win over Luis Ortiz in September 2022. The Mexican-American fighter has struggled to secure top-level boxing opportunities in recent years, and a bare knuckle bout against Fury would represent a significant financial and competitive opportunity. His team has not publicly commented on the talks.
The potential event also raises questions about the regulatory landscape. Bare knuckle boxing operates under different rules and oversight than traditional boxing, and a Fury-Ruiz bout would require approval from relevant athletic commissions. The financial terms, venue and date remain undisclosed, and no contracts have been signed.
For now, the boxing world will watch the December 11 showdown closely, aware that the result could accelerate or derail one of the most unexpected matchups in combat sports. Fury has previously spoken about his desire to remain active and explore new formats, and Tetreault's confirmation indicates that bare knuckle fighting is a serious option.
Should the deal materialise, it would be the highest-profile bare knuckle event in the sport's modern history, drawing mainstream attention and potentially reshaping the commercial landscape for both boxing and bare knuckle promotions. Negotiations are described as active, but no timeline has been given for an announcement.
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