With the next era of the heavyweight division now upon us following Oleksandr Usyk’s title vacation, Eddie Hearn believes that he has the heavyweight who could take over and dethrone the likes of Agit Kabayel and Daniel Dubois.

Usyk dropped the WBA, WBC and IBF world heavyweight world titles last month, with Murat Gassiev and Kabayel being elevated to world champion, whilst the IBF have ordered a bout to determine a new titleholder for their now-vacant strap.

As a result, promoters around the globe are hoping that they have the man who can take control of both the division and its belts over the next couple of years, with Frank Warren – promoter of WBO world champion Daniel Dubois, Kabayel, and 21-year-old sensation Moses Itauma – appearing best poised.

However, Eddie Hearn has told IFL TV that he believes that he can give his old rival a run for his money, following Matchroom Boxing’s signing of former unified world champion Andy Ruiz Jnr.

“I think he’s going to be a massive threat to the [heavyweight] division.

“He’s got a massive fanbase, he’s a huge name, he’s a very, very good fighter, and we all know with Andy Ruiz, he’s serious.

“When I look at the heavyweight division right now, you look at the champions. Gassiev, WBA, [Ruiz] beats him.

“I also think he beats Daniel Dubois and [former WBO beltholder] Fabio Wardley. I believe he can beat Agit Kabayel.

“Don’t get me wrong, he hasn’t boxed for two years, and he’ll have his comeback fight in early September, but I believe he beats those guys.”

Ruiz will face Poland’s Damian Knyba on Friday, September 4, in Newark, supported by an intriguing co-main event contested by middleweight duo Vito Mielnicki Jr. and Austin ‘Ammo’ Williams.