Peter Fury Gives Take on Joshua Facing Ruiz in Saudi Arabia

As BoxingScene.com reported on Friday, it was officially confirmed that Anthony Joshua would have his world heavyweight title rematch against Andy Ruiz Jr. on December 7th in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia.

The British fighter will be trying to win back the IBF, IBO, WBA and WBO belts he lost to Ruiz at New York's Madison Square Garden on June 1.

Ruiz had insisted that the rematch take place back in the U.S. or at a neutral venue. Diriyah is a town on the outskirts of Riyadh, the Saudi Arabian capital.

Last month, Peter Fury - father and head trainer of heavyweight Hughie Fury - traveled with his son to King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, and guided his son to a win over former champion Samuel Peter.

Fury gave his take on Joshua deciding to once again travel abroad for a fight.

If he was in Joshua's position, he would have held the fight in the UK.

"We've gone abroad, because we're not bothered about going abroad, and we've had to do it anyway. If I would have had a choice, and every time I've come out, I've had 100,000 fans here, I'm going nowhere. Why go, when it's all here? I would want it here, I'd remain here. I'd say 'That's it, call me whatever you want, I'll stay here," Peter Fury told Sky Sports.

Fury explained that his son needed the proper time to adjust to the extreme weather conditions.

"You've got to go out there quite a bit beforehand, get used to the climate," said Fury.

"Don't start training outside, because there will be nothing left of you. Just go outside and have a walk in the evening when it cools down. Don't stay in the hotel 24/7. Don't go out of the hotel and go straight to the gym in the car. You need to feel the air and get used to it over a period of days."

The Ruiz-Joshua rematch will be the highest-profile boxing event to be held in the country after welterweight Amir Khan's win over Australia's Billy Dib in Jeddah on July 12 (Hughie defeated Peter on the undercard).

Saudi Arabia also hosted the World Boxing Super Series super middleweight final between British fighters Callum Smith and George Groves last year.