After a long few years as champion, Anthony Joshua is set to be the challenger facing off the current IBF, WBA and WBO heavyweight world world champion Andy Ruiz Jr in Saudi Arabia this weekend.
The fight, that’s been called the match of the season between the two, will see them battle each other on December 7 in the Diriyah Arena, a specially-built arena for 15,000 fans.
Anthony Joshua is hoping to avenge his loss to Andy Ruiz Jr. earlier this year and this is the first-ever Heavyweight World Title fight to be held in the Middle East. It’s big news for Saudia Arabia who earlier this year opened up the country for the first time ever to tourists from around the world.
Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn also said earlier this: “This is the biggest boxing match on the planet, and it will be taking place in one of the most unique venues ever.
What happened in the first fight?
Joshua had been undefeated in his career before his surprise defeat to massive underdog Mexsican Ruiz Jr at Madison Square Garden – which also happened to be his first major fight outside the UK.
British star Anthony Joshua suffered four knockdowns and a seventh-round TKO at Madison Square Garden. Ruiz’s win was arguably one of the biggest upsets the world of boxing has seen this year.
“I just feel so good, man,” said Ruiz, who won Joshua’s WBA, WBO and IBF heavyweight titles. “This is what I have been dreaming about. This is what I have been working hard for. I can’t believe I just made my dreams come true.”
Originally, Ruiz wasn’t even supposed to fight the match. He was called in just four weeks before the fight afterr Jarrell “Big Baby” Miller failed a series of drug tests.
Where and when is Andy Ruiz Jr. v. Anthony Joshua 2 taking place?
Clash on the Dunes will take place December 7 in the Diriyah Arena, a specially-built arena for 15,000 fans.
Here’s the first picture of the Diriyah Arena.
What have they said in pre-fight interviews?
The British boxer Joshua, 30, said he was “hungry, determined and focused” as he appeared alongside Ruiz in a press conference in Diriyah.
“I am not here to put on a show, I am here to win,” he said.
“When I regain those belts… I am going to keep calm, stay focused. It’s not a time to celebrate. It’s a time to keep that challenger mindset and move on to the next target.”
However Ruiz is not going to back down just yet.
“We’ve got to see where he’s at because all the pressure is on him. The pressure isn’t on me because I followed my dream, made my dreams come true,” Ruiz said in Riyadh.
“Of course I want more though –- I want the legacy of Andy Ruiz Jr.”
Joshua said he was “comfortable” and “very relaxed” ahead of the rematch.
“I am just going to win. I know I can do it,” Joshua said.
“I was this close last time, so next time I won’t mess up.”
Clash On The Dunes
Live on @SkySportsBoxing & @DAZN_USA pic.twitter.com/imPPDwSMjg
— Anthony Joshua (@anthonyfjoshua) December 4, 2019
Can you still buy tickets?
Tickets are now on sale and are available at www.diriyahseason.sa and range from SAR495 (US $131) to SAR 50,000 ($13,400) for VVIP tickets.
The question now remains whether Joshua will be able to return to form, again on foreign soil, as he’ll attempt to regain the three belts he lost to Ruiz.
