Despite coming off a points defeat to Damian Knyba, Andy Ruiz Jr is unlikely to be short of options as he plots his next outing.

The former unified champion returned from a two-year layoff earlier this month, having not fought since boxing to a controversial draw with Jarrell Miller.

It was only a couple fights earlier, in fact, that he lost his world titles to Anthony Joshua after causing a seismic upset in their first 2019 encounter.

Ruiz has therefore struggled with spells of inactivity in recent years, but was nonetheless made a considerable favourite in his comeback fight against Knyba.

Prior to facing the Mexican-American, Knyba had suffered a third-round stoppage defeat to Agit Kabayel but gave a commendable account of himself, effectively proving his capabilities as a fringe contender.

The 30-year-old then utilised his natural physical advantages against Ruiz, scoring a heavy seventh-round knockdown before winning a convincing unanimous decision.

As a result, Ruiz has since been mentioned as a possible opponent for Dave Allen, who comes off a bizarre no-contest against Thomas Carty.

Speaking with IFL TV, the Doncaster heavyweight said he is looking to return in December, before entertaining an opponent like Ruiz for his 40th and final fight.

“I’m not the best fighter in the world but I’m a big, fat hard b**tard. [I’m] well-skilled, can take people rounds and, if I can get the Ruiz fight, of course I’d do it. I would f**king love that.”

Allen admitted that he may not deserve that fight but, if the opportunity presents itself, he would certainly pounce on it.