Ruiz vs Joshua 2
Madison Square Garden was the host to one of the biggest upsets in boxing history, when Andy Ruiz Jr. stopped Anthony Joshua on June 1.
Ruiz, who replaced Jarrell Miller on five-week notice, made history by overcoming the odds and becoming the first ever Mexican heavyweight champion.
The 30-year-old Mexican, nicknamed ‘The Destroyer’ survived a knock-down in the third round to rally back and realise this dream. The rematch will be as historic as the first fight as Diriyah, Saudi Arabia will host the hotly anticipated rematch.
Repeat or Revenge?
After the fight rumours began to circulate as to why Joshua suffered his first loss in his professional career, Joshua however, rejected these claims.
The 30-year-old Briton who is looking to reclaim his WBA, WBO, IBF and IBO world titles claims he has reinvented himself in the wake of the rematch. "I have had to check myself and reinvent myself not physically, mentally.
"There is fire in the belly,
"There are things I have had to do to take me to the next level.”
Joshua and his camp believe that they have conducted this camp correctly, the training and sparring has been specific to Andy Ruiz, with specific partners to mimic the Mexican boxer. His training team maintain that Joshua is in the best possible condition for the rematch on Saturday December 7th.
Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn testifies to the Briton’s new mindset. “Joshua is a legacy guy, a historian. He is motivated by that term of being a two-time heavyweight champion.”
Despite Joshua’s renewed vigour and confidence, Andy Ruiz is entering the fight relaxed.
“All of the pressure is on him, not on me as I followed my dream and made it come true.”
After realising his dream, Ruiz’s life has dramatically changed, despite this he believes he has remained focus on repeating history.
A Heavyweight Showdow
A bill that is topped with the heavyweight class of the year is supported by numerous intriguing heavyweight bouts.
The main card will start with the undefeated and highly touted Croatian Filip Hrgović who will face off against a former opponent of Anthony Joshua Eric Molina. Hrgović has seven knockouts from a total of nine bouts will look to add a former world title challenger to his record.
The card will also see Dillan Whyte make his highly anticipated return to the ring. The WBC World Interim Champion will be in his first fight since his impressive victory against Oscar Rivas in July. Whyte, who will face, Mariusz Wach, is looking to have a routine win and then target a well-deserved world title shot against WBC Champion Deontay Wilder in 2020.
The chief support will see Michael Hunter square off against Alexander Povetkin in a WBA World Title eliminator. Povetkin, who last time out secured a victory against Hughie Fury, is looking to secure another world title fight a year on since his loss to Anthony Joshua. Michael Hunter, however, will look to secure his first world title shot since moving up to the heavyweight division.
