Anthony Joshua: Fans Will Tell Their Children About My Fight Vs Andy Ruiz

Anthony Joshua: Fans Will Tell Their Children About My Fight Vs Andy Ruiz

By Admin

Anthony Joshua says that his huge world title rematch with Andy Ruiz Jr on December 7 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, will be an event that fans will ‘tell their grandchildren about’.

Joshua was stunned, as were the rest of the boxing world, on June 1 at Madison Square Garden when 25/1 underdog Ruiz Jr captured the WBA, WBO and IBF world titles.

AJ was knocked down four times and stopped in the seventh round as Ruiz Jr became the first ever Mexican world heavyweight champion.

Promoter Eddie Hearn immediately exercised Joshua’s right to a rematch and weeks later the date and venue, a 16,000-seater arena built in the Diriyah desert, was set.

The event, billed as ’Clash on the Dunes’ has been compared to other titan heavyweight fights of the 20th century, including ’Thrilla in Manila’ and ‘Rumble in the Jungle’.

And Joshua, who landed in Saudi on Sunday night, believes the event will be an ‘iconic’ one that fans will never forget.

“It’s going to be an incredible night and I’m thrilled so many of my fans are going to be there, particularly from the UK,” Joshua said.

“It’ll definitely be a night people will tell their grandchildren they were at, one of those iconic evenings of boxing.”

Joshua is the bookies’ favourites to win back his titles, but Ruiz Jr still poses a very credible threat.

The Destroyer used his speed and superb combinations to dazzle Joshua from close range last time out.

Joshua has since undertaken a gruelling 12-week training camp, with sparring partners Tim Moten, Andrew Tabiti and Bryant Jennings jetting over from the U.S. to help with preparations.

Anthony Joshua sends message to boxing fans ahead of 'iconic' Saudi rematch with Andy Ruiz

The Olympic gold medalist has also been sparring Derek Chisora at the England Institute of Sport in Sheffield, where Joshua trains.

Joshua has also taken on young boxing trainer Angel Fernandez to work alongside long-time coach Rob McCracken, in an attempt to improve and boost his pad work.

Joshua and Ruiz Jr are expected to hit the ring close to 10.30pm Nigerian time on December 7, with the event available to purchase on Sky Sports Box Office for £24.95.