MMA Payout has learned that the IBF has ruled on the appeal of presumptive number one heavyweight contender Kubrat Pulev and determined that he will get the next shot at the title. But that will happen after Ruiz fights Anthony Joshua.
Pulev filed an appeal to the IBF citing that he should be the one to fight Ruiz instead of a rematch against Joshua. Ruiz upset Joshua this past June in New York and a rematch was set. But, Pulev citing the fact that he should be next in line at the title, not a rematch with Ruiz, filed an appeal with the IBF in an attempt to force the fight.
Last month, Pulev’s attorneys attempted to obtain Ruiz’s contract in a lawsuit filed against Ruiz by Joshua’s representation forcing the rematch. However, the Court denied the attempt citing procedural issues. Notably, the appeal to the IBF was to have happened October 10th however MMA Payout was not made aware of the ruling from the IBF until today.
The ruling as conveyed to MMA Payout is as follows:
Based on the recommendation of the Appeal Panel, and after consultation with the Championships Committee under Rule 12.F., the IBF hereby orders:
- The bout between Andy Ruiz, Jr. and Anthony Joshua must take place on or before December 7, 2019.
- The winner of that bout shall fight Kubrat Pulev next, with no intervening bouts, in an IBF mandatory bout on or before May 31, 2020.
- Andy Ruiz, Jr. and Anthony Joshua must agree in writing to indemnify, hold harmless and otherwise reimburse the IBF for any and all legal fees or other expenses related to the granting of said Exception, including, but not limited to, the costs attendant to any resultant litigation. (IBF Rule 11.F.)
Ruiz and Joshua 2 will happen in Saudi Arabia on December 7th on DAZN in the U.S.
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