is Ruiz trying to wriggle out of the rematch ???

[margaret thatcher]

he went in as the no-chance underdog
hardly earning anything, but now bails out
after he knows he can beat the guy and
gets huge bucks for it?

he has every right to play his own crowd.
after all, HE is the heavy weight champion
of the world.

He made like 7m for the first fight?

[keirw]

Why's he not British?

I thought AJ was born in Britain? No?

He was born in Watford (North London) to Nigerian parents, lived in Nigeria for a few years when he was a kid.

As far as I am aware he holds dual nationality so is technically British-Nigerian.

He is more Nigerian than Ruiz is Mexican.

[oogiebe]

I thought AJ was born in Britain? No?

He was born in Watford (North London) to Nigerian parents, lived in Nigeria for a few years when he was a kid.

As far as I am aware he holds dual nationality so is technically British-Nigerian.

He is more Nigerian than Ruiz is Mexican.

He's born in UK, he's British with Nigerian roots.

[handsofstone]

Ruiz must be fairly confident about the rematch.

I'm a Brit (a Scot) but have had misgivings about AJ from early on.. The result of the Olympic final in 2012 was questionable. He has greatly improved as a professional, obviously. However, there have been doubts about his speed and stamina, which he doesn't help by piling on more muscle. His chin is slightly suspect and he sometimes seems to lose his bearing rather too easily when hit (e.g. against Whyte), and his guard drops....He could improve if the focus of his training switches.

To get back to the main topic, as a Brit not too optimistic about the outcome of the rematch with Ruiz, who brings more to the bout than just fast hands. No special knowledge of contractual arrangements but why would Ruiz want to turn away from a guaranteed large purse with limited dangers. Any thoughts?

That's a good post mate, I'm from Scotland myself, sounds like you'd be a good contributor over on B&I, how come you don't post often??

[jas80s]

If I became aware of a 40 million dollar site fee and I was the current champion I would definitely want some of that money. To me, it's kind of egregious if he is NOT getting some of that money, especially if Joshua is.

He is getting some of that money. I heard it was a lot more than 40.

Ah, I see. And yes, I totally agree with you, this is just about money.

[sturm vogel]

He was born in Watford (North London) to Nigerian parents, lived in Nigeria for a few years when he was a kid.

As far as I am aware he holds dual nationality so is technically British-Nigerian.

He is more Nigerian than Ruiz is Mexican.

He's born in UK, he's British with Nigerian roots.

Holding English papers only means the holder holds English papers.

[greg]

..I believe that after a short-lived jiggling, wiggling and wriggling Ruiz will succumb to reality..he might get a couple of more millions in the process if he's lucky of course..

[keirw]

He's born in UK, he's British with Nigerian roots.

Holding English papers only means the holder holds English papers.

He is both British and Nigerian.

This is the 21st century, it is possible to be both.

[coneye]

He wil wriggle , squirm , walk away , and walk back , manage to grab himself some more of the dollars and take the fight where ever they want it ,, Too much at stake if he does'nt , start with he loses a 9 million payday , then probably gets tied up in court and even if he does fight it will be against a mandatory , not the big names . He will get beat or stripped , then find he's got no money to fill the gas tank in his new rolls , and cry about how he was shafted .

Or he will score a couple more mill out of them , take the fight , probably win by KO again , be the man , and go on to make another few mill fighting his mandatorys , if and thats a big IF , he wins them , then on to big money fight with Fury or Wilder .

Rest assured its gonna happen , just a bit of chest beating going on

[northern]

I don't think he'll be trying to get out of the rematch, it's a must happen. Having a heavyweight world champion is a must for Eddie Hearn and it is the biggest fight for Ruiz.

if anything Ruiz will be using the delay and the refusal to get the fight more on his own terms and i agree with him doing that if it is the case.
Joshua brings the british market, the promotional team and his reputation as the former world champion no one expected to lose, that wonder factor is a bigger draw then anyone else Ruiz could face right now.
Ruiz on the other hand, he brings the world titles, a must for any champions legacy and that makes him the front runner to being the undisputed and unified world champion, literally holding 3 of 4 the major organisations and arguably the 5th biggest as well. Along with that, he brings the latin american and american market, that means serious money for all parties involved.

if he causes a fuss to get more money, i agree with him. Why should he accept any less then what he deserves now he is one of the big names in arguably the biggest division commercially?
And if he is just doing it to get the fight moved to america and not give Joshua that 'home' or 'home promotion' advantage, I agree with that as well. I firmly believe if Joshua wins this rematch, we wouldn't see a 3rd fight between the pair.

[BeetleBailey]

With the fight taking place on the outskirts of Riyadh, Ruiz would be far away from any of the hotspots. The Houthis did claim they hit the Riyadh airport with a drone a couple of years ago, but it was never verified.

If you’re an attention-seeking terrorist faction attempting to gain exposure via the global media, should an event, such as the Ruiz Jr-Joshua rematch, be considered as being a high security risk?

If the US government are actively discouraging their own citizens from visiting Saudi Arabia, actually forbidding them from visiting certain regions within that country (such as the 50-mile distance from the Yemen border), then you can’t expect many American’s to want to go there.

Whether Ruiz Jr’s reluctance to compete in Saudi is due to: fear for his own safety, political ideology, taxation, bad press, drug testing protocols, a negotiation tactic etc., his motives are totally irrelevant.

The only thing that matters is what is legally enforceable.

From a legal perspective, I honestly don’t know how any lawsuit filed by Matchroom/AJ against Ruiz Jr. for breach of contract could prove to be successful, in the context of the US government actively discouraging their citizens from travelling to Saudi Arabia.

I really don’t think that Eddie Hearn has a legal case against Ruiz Jr. in this instance.

Personally-speaking, it doesn’t really matter to me where the fight is staged. I couldn’t care less.

It’s just that I feel that any attempted lawsuit filed against Ruiz Jr. for breach of contract would be immediately dismissed by any US court due to it being cosidered frivolous in nature.

The State Department is not "actively discouraging their own citizens from visiting Saudi Arabia".

After all, many go on Hajj each year. Plus, 35,000 American citizens currently work in Saudi Arabia. Also, it is NOT an unaccompanied assignment for US personnel.

The current threat level from the State Department for Saudi Arabia is "Level 2" out of four levels.

1 = Exercise Normal Precautions.
2 = Exercise Increased Caution.
3. = Reconsider Travel.
4. = Do Not Travel.

Other countries currently at "Level 2":

- Mexico
- Germany
- China
- Kenya
- Jamaica
- United Kingdom
- Brazil
- India
- South Africa
- Denmark

[Onetimeonly]

If you’re an attention-seeking terrorist faction attempting to gain exposure via the global media, should an event, such as the Ruiz Jr-Joshua rematch, be considered as being a high security risk?

If the US government are actively discouraging their own citizens from visiting Saudi Arabia, actually forbidding them from visiting certain regions within that country (such as the 50-mile distance from the Yemen border), then you can’t expect many American’s to want to go there.

Whether Ruiz Jr’s reluctance to compete in Saudi is due to: fear for his own safety, political ideology, taxation, bad press, drug testing protocols, a negotiation tactic etc., his motives are totally irrelevant.

The only thing that matters is what is legally enforceable.

From a legal perspective, I honestly don’t know how any lawsuit filed by Matchroom/AJ against Ruiz Jr. for breach of contract could prove to be successful, in the context of the US government actively discouraging their citizens from travelling to Saudi Arabia.

I really don’t think that Eddie Hearn has a legal case against Ruiz Jr. in this instance.

Personally-speaking, it doesn’t really matter to me where the fight is staged. I couldn’t care less.

It’s just that I feel that any attempted lawsuit filed against Ruiz Jr. for breach of contract would be immediately dismissed by any US court due to it being cosidered frivolous in nature.

The State Department is not "actively discouraging their own citizens from visiting Saudi Arabia".

After all, many go on Hajj each year. Plus, 35,000 American citizens currently work in Saudi Arabia. Also, it is NOT an unaccompanied assignment for US personnel.

The current threat level from the State Department for Saudi Arabia is "Level 2" out of four levels.

1 = Exercise Normal Precautions.
2 = Exercise Increased Caution.
3. = Reconsider Travel.
4. = Do Not Travel.

Other countries currently at "Level 2":

- Mexico
- Germany
- China
- Kenya
- Jamaica
- United Kingdom
- Brazil
- India
- South Africa
- Denmark

Another drubbing for Fergus 'facts'. Cue are you trying to say that level 2 isn't worse than level 1.......

[sturm vogel]

Holding English papers only means the holder holds English papers.

He is both British and Nigerian.

This is the 21st century, it is possible to be both.

I didn't write about his "being". I wrote about his holding identity papers. Of course, a man may hold 2 or 20 identity papers.

[ironbeard]

The State Department is not "actively discouraging their own citizens from visiting Saudi Arabia".

After all, many go on Hajj each year. Plus, 35,000 American citizens currently work in Saudi Arabia. Also, it is NOT an unaccompanied assignment for US personnel.

The current threat level from the State Department for Saudi Arabia is "Level 2" out of four levels.

1 = Exercise Normal Precautions.
2 = Exercise Increased Caution.
3. = Reconsider Travel.
4. = Do Not Travel.

Other countries currently at "Level 2":

- Mexico
- Germany
- China
- Kenya
- Jamaica
- United Kingdom
- Brazil
- India
- South Africa
- Denmark

Another drubbing for Fergus 'facts'. Cue are you trying to say that level 2 isn't worse than level 1.......

TFKoB may have legitimate reasons for not wanting to fight in an Islamic state run by an absolute monarchy.

[Onetimeonly]

Another drubbing for Fergus 'facts'. Cue are you trying to say that level 2 isn't worse than level 1.......

TFKoB may have legitimate reasons for not wanting to fight in an Islamic state run by an absolute monarchy.

He would have taken the first fight and signed the rematch clause if it was on a Somalian pirate ship.

[ironbeard]

TFKoB may have legitimate reasons for not wanting to fight in an Islamic state run by an absolute monarchy.

He would have taken the first fight and signed the rematch clause if it was on a Somalian pirate ship.

Maybe, but it was in Madison Square Garden, where the rematch should be.

[Onetimeonly]

He would have taken the first fight and signed the rematch clause if it was on a Somalian pirate ship.

Maybe, but it was in Madison Square Garden, where the rematch should be.

Shouldn't matter, knock out is the same anywhere. I don't think he cares, just getting more dough. Fact of the matter is Joshua needs him more.

[ironbeard]

Maybe, but it was in Madison Square Garden, where the rematch should be.

Shouldn't matter, knock out is the same anywhere. I don't think he cares, just getting more dough. Fact of the matter is Joshua needs him more.

I agree that AJ and Hearn need TFKoB more than he needs them.

[margaret thatcher]

He's trying to wriggle out of his size 60 jeans but can't manage

[Onetimeonly]

He's trying to wriggle out of his size 60 jeans but can't manage

Nonsense, he bought brand new 70s

[Best Coast]

Shouldn't matter, knock out is the same anywhere. I don't think he cares, just getting more dough. Fact of the matter is Joshua needs him more.

I agree that AJ and Hearn need TFKoB more than he needs them.

If AJ doesnt avenge that embarrassing first loss it will always be a stain on his legacy, especially since it came at the hands of a flabby underdog.

[Enlightened-One]

If you’re an attention-seeking terrorist faction attempting to gain exposure via the global media, should an event, such as the Ruiz Jr-Joshua rematch, be considered as being a high security risk?

If the US government are actively discouraging their own citizens from visiting Saudi Arabia, actually forbidding them from visiting certain regions within that country (such as the 50-mile distance from the Yemen border), then you can’t expect many American’s to want to go there.

Whether Ruiz Jr’s reluctance to compete in Saudi is due to: fear for his own safety, political ideology, taxation, bad press, drug testing protocols, a negotiation tactic etc., his motives are totally irrelevant.

The only thing that matters is what is legally enforceable.

From a legal perspective, I honestly don’t know how any lawsuit filed by Matchroom/AJ against Ruiz Jr. for breach of contract could prove to be successful, in the context of the US government actively discouraging their citizens from travelling to Saudi Arabia.

I really don’t think that Eddie Hearn has a legal case against Ruiz Jr. in this instance.

Personally-speaking, it doesn’t really matter to me where the fight is staged. I couldn’t care less.

It’s just that I feel that any attempted lawsuit filed against Ruiz Jr. for breach of contract would be immediately dismissed by any US court due to it being cosidered frivolous in nature.

The State Department is not "actively discouraging their own citizens from visiting Saudi Arabia".

After all, many go on Hajj each year. Plus, 35,000 American citizens currently work in Saudi Arabia. Also, it is NOT an unaccompanied assignment for US personnel.

The current threat level from the State Department for Saudi Arabia is "Level 2" out of four levels.

1 = Exercise Normal Precautions.
2 = Exercise Increased Caution.
3. = Reconsider Travel.
4. = Do Not Travel.

Other countries currently at "Level 2":

- Mexico
- Germany
- China
- Kenya
- Jamaica
- United Kingdom
- Brazil
- India
- South Africa
- Denmark

I’ve already addressed a similar comment on the threat levels from another poster.

They thought it was really funny, to the point of comical, that the US Department of State considered Saudi Arabia as having the same threat level as the Britain, whilst being blatantly ignorant of the fact that the UK actually considers itself as facing “severe” threat of a terrorist attack.

I already provided proof of this from a UK government website.

I’m not going to attempt to justify the threat levels for the other countries you listed.

[ewenhay]

is Ruiz trying to wriggle out of the rematch ???

Seems odd to me that he has gone V quiet since the Saudi announcement and today has been quoted as saying he wont fight there...

...but he signed the contract for two fights and if its not respected could find he is in a long legal wrangle which could see him stripped of the belts anyway .

Can help but think he knows deep down he cant beat AJ again and is trying to hide behind various stumbling blocks to get out of the rematch .

I’ve only just found this out, but apparently the US State Department advises its citizens not to go to Saudi Arabia, but if they must do so, they should exercise increased caution due to terrorism and the threat of missile and drone attacks on civilian targets.

In fact, US government personnel and their families are actually forbidden from travelling to certain regions within Saudi Arabia, due to their belief that US citizens are at heightened risk of Yemeni terrorist attacks.

Therefore, Matchroom or AJ can’t sue for breach of contract if Andy Ruiz Jr. has shown a clear willingness to engage in the rematch, but simply refuses to compete in Saudi Arabia.

Contracts cannot be enforced on an athlete if its terms could potentially result in the personal injury or the death of the aforementioned individual due to non-sporting related causes.

The only reason why the Eddie Hearn is attempting to stage the fight that geographical region is due to money and that isn’t sufficient justification to legally compel the Mexican-American to travel to a country his own government actually advises its citizens from visiting, especially considering the fact that there are commercially-viable alternative (and almost equally lucrative) venues the event could be staged.

I’ve tried to consider the situations from both sides of the fence and I really can’t perceive any possible justification to legally compel Andy Ruiz Jr. to adhere to Matchroom’s and AJ’s demands to travel to Saudi Arabia. I really don’t think that Eddie Hearn has a legal case against Ruiz Jr. in this instance.

I think you're mistaken. Unless Ruiz is a US government representative or a family member of one.

And I don't think you can prove that he is.

[Enlightened-One]

Andy Ruiz Jr’s trainer, Manny Robles, is claiming that there are questions that need answering by Eddie Hearn prior to his fighter agreeing to compete in Saudi Arabia, since there’s no boxing commission and no VADA testing in that country.

I don’t think it’s unreasonable for Team Ruiz Jr. to receive guarantees that a reputable commission will oversee the fight and that there’ll be drug testing also.

Manny did say there might be other issues that need to be addressed, but both of the questions he’s posed are currently their main concerns.

[sturm vogel]

Andy Ruiz Jr’s trainer, Manny Robles, is claiming that there are questions that need answering by Eddie Hearn prior to his fighter agreeing to compete in Saudi Arabia, since there’s no boxing commission and no VADA testing in that country.

I don’t think it’s unreasonable for Team Ruiz Jr. to receive guarantees that a reputable commission will oversee the fight and that there’ll be drug testing also.

Manny did say there might be other issues that need to be addressed, but both of the questions he’s posed are currently their main concerns.

Good post. Fair reasons for Ruiz to keep on negotiating. And, by the way, to anyone interested, negotiating is not refusing to contract.