By Keith Idec

NEW YORK – Anthony Joshua spent more time Thursday discussing the fight that won’t happen anytime soon than the opponent that’ll challenge him Saturday night.

Joshua candidly discussed Wilder’s decision to announce Tuesday night – right in the middle of his rival’s fight week – that the WBC champion and Luis Ortiz have agreed to meet in a rematch, probably at some point in September. With Wilder now unavailable at least until the beginning of 2020, Joshua has been left to wonder who else could become his next opponent, assuming the heavily favored fighter defeats Andy Ruiz Jr. at Madison Square Garden.

The IBF/IBO/WBA/WBO champion provided a list of potential opponents Thursday – none nearly as intriguing as Wilder, with whom Joshua would make more money than he would earn against anyone else. Joshua mentioned British rival Tyson Fury, Oleksandr Usyk, Michael Hunter, Kubrat Pulev, Dillian Whyte, Joe Joyce and Filip Hrgovic, in that order.

When Wilder wasn’t the topic of discussion Thursday, Joshua talked about making his United States debut at one of the most iconic venues in the world and expanding his brand in another country. After sitting ringside for Canelo Alvarez’s knockout of Rocky Fielding on December 15 at The Garden, Joshua can’t wait to experience another intoxicating atmosphere for his own fight there.

Hearn indicated Thursday that more than 8,000 Brits have made the transatlantic trip to watch their incomparably popular champion’s first fight on American soil Saturday night.

The 29-year-old Ruiz (32-1, 21 KOs) is determined to send them all home heartbroken, witnesses to the type of historic moment most of them don’t even consider a remote possibility. Jarrell Miller’s replacement has embraced his role as a huge underdog, but he also has sensed that Joshua is underestimating him as they inch closer to their DAZN main event.

Joshua continuously praises Ruiz’s boxing ability and reminds Ruiz’s detractors that his chubby body isn’t indicative of his capabilities. The Imperial, California, native still feels he’ll test Joshua more than the champion anticipates.

“I think right now he’s looking past me,” Ruiz said. “I think he should be focused on this fight first. But, you know, anything can happen in this boxing game. It only takes one punch to change the fight and I’m here to do that.”

When Joshua was informed what Ruiz said about looking past him, the 6-feet-6, 245-pound Joshua didn’t deny that he’s wondering what’s beyond Saturday night for him.

“I’m not gonna lie,” Joshua said. “Everyone speaks about, ‘Oh, I’m fully focused on June 1st.’ Well, I am. That’s what I’ve been practicing and preparing for. But you can’t not look at the bigger picture. I’m sure he’s doing it himself. ‘When I become champion, I’m gonna do this. I’m gonna get my Snickers deal.’ So, you naturally look at the bigger picture. I’m not looking past him, but I definitely don’t put blinkers on to see like the potential if I beat this guy, what’s out there for me. And that keeps me motivated to get in there Saturday and put on a good performance.”

The Joshua-Ruiz fight figures to be more compelling than their predictable press conference Thursday, which prompted reporters to ask Joshua and Hearn if they were worried about a flat performance from the defending champion.

“This is the U.S. debut,” Hearn said. “There’s nothing flat about Madison Square Garden being sold out, being broadcast around the world, with a buildup this week. But, you know, it would’ve been less flat with Miller, saying he wants to do whatever he’s gonna do. But he couldn’t help himself. So, we’ve got a guy who’s coming to fight and coming to win. The most important thing for [Joshua] is to be switched on. Because if it’s perceived to be flat, then that’s the biggest danger to Anthony Joshua.”

The easygoing Ruiz hasn’t disrespected Joshua (22-0, 21 KOs), who would’ve been badmouthed all fight week by Miller had the verbose Brooklyn native not been removed from their fight after failing three performance-enhancing drug tests. Everyone remained calm during Thursday’s festivities, yet Joshua still doesn’t feel “flat” is an accurate depiction of this week’s buildup toward his fight versus Ruiz.

“Not really,” Joshua said. “I think it’s been quite interesting. You know? And the whole speculation around like what’s happening next. You had the Breazeale-Wilder fight. You’ve got the Fury-Schwarz fight after [June 15]. You’ve got me in the middle. … You’ve got the Miller situation.”

The Miller situation cost the controversial contender what would’ve been a career-high $6.5 million payday. Joshua was willing to face Ortiz instead, but the Cuban southpaw’s promoter turned down a $7 million purse to take this fight on five weeks’ notice.

That would’ve been by far the biggest purse of Ortiz’s career as well, but his handlers knew they had been assured another shot at Wilder by adviser Al Haymon. Once Ortiz passed, Ruiz jumped at an opportunity he wasn’t certain would come again 2½ years after losing a majority decision to Joseph Parker in his first title fight.

“I respect Ruiz for stepping in,” Joshua said. “He saved the show, so I’ve got lot of respect. Even though we’re gonna beat each other up, he’s the one who put his name on the dotted line, so I’ve gotta give him his credit. I respect him for that.”

According to Ruiz, Joshua will have even more respect from him after they fight Saturday night.

“I’ve been an underdog my whole life – just the shape that I have, the way that I look,” Ruiz said. “Once I get in the ring, it’s a whole different ballgame. And the people that I fight, they’re the ones that could tell you, ‘Man, this kid is different. This kid, he’s hard to get to.’ Just like how Maidana and Broner was. [Maidana] pulled off the upset and that’s what I’m looking to do June 1st.”

Keith Idec is a senior writer/columnist for BoxingScene.com. He can be reached on Twitter @Idecboxing.