Anthony Joshua faces a career-defining heavyweight fight against Andy Ruiz Jr in Saudi Arabia tonight.
The 30-year-old was stopped by Mexican-American Ruiz Jr and stripped of his WBA, IBF and WBO belts in one of the biggest upsets in boxing history back in June in New York City.
Now he is out to win the titles back against Ruiz Jr, and put him back on course for a unification clash with Deontay Wilder or a huge all-British showdown with lineal champion Tyson Fury.
When is Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr 2?
The Joshua vs Ruiz Jr rematch will be held tonight, Saturday, December 7, in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia in a custom-built 15,000-seater venue, The Diriyah Arena.
While Cardiff’s 80,000 capacity Principality Stadium was the preferred option, Ruiz Jr made it clear he would not travel to the UK – throwing the rematch into doubt. But Eddie Hearn and settled on Saudi Arabia after they made a $40m offer to host the fight, which is being promoted as the ‘Clash on the Dunes’.
What time is Joshua vs Ruiz Jr 2 expected to start?
Joshua and Ruiz are due to begin their ring walks at approximately 8.30-8.45pm UK time, brodcasters Sky have confirmed. That will be 11.30-11.45pm in Saudi Arabia.
The fight is scheduled to start at 9pm.
Who is on the undercard?
These are the fights that have been confirmed by Matchroom (12 rounds unless stated):
- Andy Ruiz Jr vs Anthony Joshua (WBA Super, IBF, WBO, IBO world heavyweight titles)
- Alexander Povetkin vs Michael Hunter (heavyweight)
- Dillian Whyte vs Mariusz Wach (WBC interim heavyweight title – 10 rounds)
- Filip Hrgovic vs Eric Molina (WBC international heavyweight title)
- Mahammadrasul Majidov vs Tom Little (heavyweight – 8 rounds)
- Diego Pacheco vs Selemani Saidi (middleweight – 4 rounds)
- Hopey Price vs Swedi Mohamed (super-bantamweight – 4 rounds)
- Majid Al Naqbi vs Ilia Beruashvili (lightweight – 4 rounds)
- Zuhayr Al Qahtani vs Omar Dusary (WBC Middle East lightweight championship – 4 rounds)
Joshua vs Ruiz 2: Tale of the tape
Joshua – Ruiz Jr
Nationality: British – American/Mexican
Age: 30 – 30
Height: 6ft 6 – 6ft 2
Stance: Orthodox – Orthodox
Reach: 82 in – 74 in
Record: 22-1-0 – 33-1-0
KOs: 21 – 22
Rounds: 91 – 151
Debut: 5/10/2013 – 28/03/2009
Nickname: AJ – Destroyer
