Eddie Hearn has dismissed speculation that the Andy Ruiz Jr vs Anthony Joshua rematch will be cancelled.
In an unexpected twist, it started to rain at the Diriyah Arena in Saudi Arabia on Saturday afternoon, just hours before the fight.
Thunderstorms rippled through the afternoon sky in the Kingdom where the heavyweights’ ‘Clash on the Dunes’ is being staged with just a small cover over the ring.
This led to speculation on social media which suggested the bout could be put back to early 2020, however Hearn quickly assuaged these fears.
In response to a – since deleted – tweet from a journalist which said: “Looking like the weather could force a postponement of Ruiz vs Joshua 2. If it is, hearing it could be rescheduled for early 2020.”
Hearn replied: “Are you trolling?”
He then went on to add: “Total rubbish.”
Joshua’s last fight in the UK, against Alxander Povetkin at Wembley Stadium, was hampered by the weather, with both men forced to wear special footwear to prevent themselves from slipping.
Having lost his belts in New York City in June, the Brit is fighting abroad again owing to the controversial decision to host the rematch in the Middle East.
The 30-year-old is reportedly set to pocket as much as £66million for this fight alone and has clearly been working hard during his 12-week training camp after revealing a leaner figure at the public weigh-in on Friday.
