British superstar Anthony Joshua is taking some heat after certain comments that he made, during an interview with BBC Sport, when he was questioned over Saudi Arabia's human rights record towards homosexuality. Joshua's rematch with IBF, IBO, WBA, WBO heavyweight champion Andy Ruiz is taking place in Saudi Arabia on December 7th.
New York - The Middle East, in particular Saudi Arabia, has always been a talked about spot for hosting mega-events for boxing in the past. But talk is all it was. Whether it was fantasy or just talk to get a bigger site fee from a Las Vegas hotel property or other venues, it was never more than talk - until now.
The reigning unified heavyweight titlist joined England’s Anthony Joshua (22-1, 21KOs) on Wednesday in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia, which will host their Dec. 7 title fight rematch. From there, the tour made its way to New York City, where Ruiz made history in becoming the first-ever Mexican boxer to claim the heavyweight crown following his off-the-canvas 7th round stoppage this past June at Madison Square Garden.
NEW YORK – If Anthony Joshua defeats Andy Ruiz Jr. in their rematch, the former heavyweight champion won’t have any contractual obligation to grant Ruiz a rubber match. If Joshua were to win their rematch December 7 in a competitive, entertaining fight, it would warrant a third bout. That doesn’t necessarily mean Joshua would give Ruiz a chance to avenge his loss following their immediate rematch in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia.
Eddie Hearn, promoter for heavyweight contender Anthony Joshua, explains his fighter will have the best sparring possible for upcoming rematch with IBF, IBO, WBA, WBO world champion Andy Ruiz. Ruiz took the first bout with Joshua on late notice, when original opponent Jarrell Miller was pulled from the bout after testing positive for performance enhancing drugs.
By Keith Idec - It would better suit Deontay Wilder’s plan to eventually fight Anthony Joshua if Joshua were to impressively avenge his loss to Andy Ruiz Jr. If England’s Joshua were to win their immediate rematch, it would mark the first significant step toward rebuilding the former heavyweight champion’s image and getting him back...
Tyson Fury has no intention to pull away from his expected rematch with WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder, which is targeted for February 2020 in Las Vegas. In a recent interview, Wilder discussed the idea of facing the Andy Ruiz-Anthony Joshua winner - because Fury would be more than willing to step-aside to avoid a rematch.
If there was a moment that Anthony Joshua discovered life as an ex-champion wasn’t quite what it used to be, it might have been the moment when his barber refused to come round to his house to give him a haircut. Joshua said he wanted a trim when he was going away on holiday, but found out that not all people were as accommodating as they were before he lost his WBA, WBO, IBO and IBF heavyweight titles.
NEW YORK – Anthony Joshua is certain he could’ve continued in the seventh round against Andy Ruiz Jr. The former heavyweight champion still doesn’t blame referee Michael Griffin for stopping their fight too soon. Joshua gave his assessment Thursday of what happened once he got up from the second knockdown he suffered during the seventh round, the fourth time Ruiz sent him to the canvas overall June 1 at Madison Square Garden.
Manny Robles Video Interview - Mexican-American world heavyweight champion Andy Ruiz Jr. said he will not be satisfied with “15 minutes of fame” as he prepares to fight Briton Anthony Joshua again in Saudi Arabia on Dec. 7.