Dave Allen has set one condition for a potential heavyweight clash with former world champion Andy Ruiz.
The 'White Rhino' has enjoyed an incredibly active calendar year -- having fought on five occasions in 2026 -- but his most recent bout against Irish heavyweight Thomas Carty in September ended in bizarre fashion.
The bout was ruled a No Contest after Carty tumbled backwards through the second and third ropes and crashed out of the ring.
It was a frustrating night for Allen -- who had previously billed the Dublin encounter as his penultimate fight before ending his career with a 40th and final bout -- but he's eager to return to the ring against a household name in 2027.
Speaking at a Q&A, the 27-9-2 Doncaster-born heavyweight said: "I think I am going to box Andy Ruiz next year. I think I will box him in Sheffield, and it will likely happen in March or April.
"But it will be on the premise that I show I can get into the best shape possible.
"I was talking to Frank Smith [Matchroom CEO] earlier so I think it will happen."
Ruiz, who is renowned for clinching the WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, and IBO heavyweight titles when defeating Anthony Joshua in June 2019, took a near two-year break from boxing after beating Luis Ortiz in September 2022, before returning against Jarrell Miller in a majority decision draw in August 2024.
After an almost identical two-year hiatus following the Miller clash, he made his comeback against Poland's Damian Knyba in September -- a fight that the Mexican-American heavyweight hoped would mark the start of a renewed world title push.
It was the worst possible return for Ruiz, however, knocked down on the way to a unanimous decision defeat in New Jersey, significantly hindering his hopes of becoming a two-time world champion.
Only a few years ago people would have laughed at the prospect of Ruiz vs Allen, but the former champion's decline and the 'White Rhino's' ability to sell fights --especially locally -- makes this one an interesting bout.
