The short list to land a shot at unified heavyweight titlist Anthony Joshua on June 1 at New York's Madison Square Garden has a new name: Mexican contender Andy Ruiz Jr., Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn told ESPN on Monday. Ruiz (32-1, 21 KOs), 29, of Imperial, California, entered the picture after scoring a fifth-round knockout of Alexander Dimitrenko on Saturday night in Carson, California, after which he said he was interested in fighting Joshua. The win was Ruiz’s third in a row since losing a majority decision to Joseph Parker for a vacant world title in December 2016. Parker was later outpointed by Joshua in a unification fight. Hearn said other potential opponents are Luis Ortiz, Michael Hunter and secondary titlist Manuel Charr with interim titlist Trevor Bryan and European champion Agit Kabayel further down the list. Joshua needs a new foe because Jarrell “Big Baby” Miller failed multiple drug tests last week.

Dan Rafael, ESPN Senior Writer15h ago

Chicago’s Jessica McCaskill, 34, and Argentina’s Anahi Sanchez, 27, will meet to unify their women’s junior welterweight titles on the Oleksandr Usyk-Carlos Takam card May 25 (DAZN) at the MGM National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Maryland, Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn announced Monday. McCaskill won her belt in October and will be in her first defense. “I know that this is going to be a tough fight but this is what I am in the sport for. Erica is a top fighter, but I feel in great shape and in a great frame of mind,” McCaskill said. Sanchez won her belt last April and will also be making her first defense. “This is a huge fight and one I am so excited for,” Sanchez said. “Jessica put in a great performance winning her world title and I expect a really tough fight.”

Dan Rafael, ESPN Senior Writer20h ago