Anthony Joshua and the new IBF, WBA and WBO world heavyweight champion, Andy Ruiz Jr., will square off for the second time on December 7, in Saudi Arabia.
When they first fought on June 1 in New York, Joshua dropped the Mexican Ruiz in the third round with a left hook. Then, in the seventh, Ruiz came through and dropped the Briton two times to win the fight.
As his press conference in Riyadh on Wednesday, Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, said Ruiz was the clear the winner of their first competition.
“It had a lot more edge than the first press conference because the first press conference had no edge. I mean he [Joshua] gave him his belts, and Ruiz looked like a competition winner.” Hearn said.
“Yesterday, Ruiz travelled and behaved like a champion. I think Joshua, whether he admits it or not, wants this challenger mentality in this fight. In terms of who’s got more pressure, I don’t know.” Hearn added.
Hearn has expected that Joshua must win his rematch against Ruiz then the focus will turn back to a fight with WBC world heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder in 2020. Joshua has made no secret he wants to step in-between the ropes with the American icon.
“For Joshua it’s a must-win fight, for Ruiz I don’t know whether the mentality, he’s obviously got a huge amount of money off two fights, does that take the edge off? Does that take the hunger off? Or does that drive him on to want more and to be in bigger fights?” he said.
“Because if Ruiz wins this fight he’s the biggest star in boxing. If Joshua wins this fight then you start talking about the fights against Deontay Wilder we talked about non-stop for 18 months.” Hearn added.
