Andy Ruiz Jr. vs. Anthony Joshua 2 - December 7, 2019

[RichieKnightmare]

AJ will win by late stoppage and a lot of people will have to eat humble pie for writing him off.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Dillian Whyte returns to action against Mariusz Wach on the same bill as Anthony Joshua's epic rematch with Andy Ruiz Jr in Saudi Arabia.

The British heavyweight faces Wach, a former world title challenger, ahead of Joshua's massive showdown with Ruiz Jr on December 7, live on Sky Sports Box Office.

Poland's Wach has proven his grit while extending Wladimir Klitschko and Alexander Povetkin into the later rounds and will be hoping to drag Whyte into a dramatic battle after rejuvenating his career with two victories in his home country.

Fellow Brit Tom Little will also be targeting a huge upset on the undercard as he takes on Mahammadrasul Majidov, the former world amateur champion.

Alexander Povetkin's explosive encounter with Michael Hunter has already been confirmed, along with Filip Hrgovic's step-up in class against Eric Molina on an action-packed evening of heavyweight fights.

The talented young duo of Hopey Price and Diego Pacheco will also be eager to impress at Diriyah Arena.

Matchroom Boxing boss Eddie Hearn said: "This wraps up a huge card for what will be a historic night for the sport.

"Ten big heavyweights will descend on Diriyah to cause a shockwave through world boxing as Saudi Arabia hosts one of the biggest heavyweight fight of all time. Ten days to go!"

Adam Smith, Head of Sky Sports Boxing, said: "Anthony Joshua's epic rematch night has even more heavyweight fireworks as Dillian Whyte battles Mariusz Wach on a bill which is brimming with big punchers.

"Whyte will be seeking to showcase his power against the battle-hardened Mariusz Wach, while the likeable Tom Little receives a dream fight against Mahammadrasul Majidov, the former world amateur champion.

"Hopey Price and Diego Pacheco are also keen to display their talent on a momentous night for the sport as we build towards Joshua's spectacular showdown with Ruiz Jr."

[danconnollyeire]

AJ will win by late stoppage and a lot of people will have to eat humble pie for writing him off.

Why would they? Cos they predicted a fight wrong? Crime of the century that

[RichieKnightmare]

AJ will win by late stoppage and a lot of people will have to eat humble pie for writing him off.

Why would they? Cos they predicted a fight wrong? Crime of the century that

No, but treating AJ like he's a bum is. And that's what some people have been doing.

[oogiebe]

Why would they? Cos they predicted a fight wrong? Crime of the century that

No, but treating AJ like he's a bum is. And that's what some people have been doing.

Who has said AJ is a bum? Every fighter has detracters but I don't recall anyone calling him an outright bum.

[danconnollyeire]

Why would they? Cos they predicted a fight wrong? Crime of the century that

No, but treating AJ like he's a bum is. And that's what some people have been doing.

Eddie, is that you?

[margaret thatcher]

Lol I thought I was Eddie , dannyboi?

Actually started watching the fights yet??

[danconnollyeire]

Lol I thought I was Eddie , dannyboi?

Actually started watching the fights yet??

Yeah, that's right, literally thought you was Eddie Hearn when I posted that to you. It wasn't in any way a joke to point out the weirdness of their buming of a boxer for no good reason.

[margaret thatcher]

[Ruthless-RKO]

[margaret thatcher]

When was that filmed? Doesn't look much as far as the supposed big weight loss goes

[Ruthless-RKO]

When was that filmed? Doesn't look much as far as the supposed big weight loss goes

No idea. Usually they record it and then show a teaser.. That recent video of AJ, where he had small afro, I don't know when that was filmed either.

[margaret thatcher]

I guess it coulda been a while ago

[Quantrax]

I've been a fan of Andy Ruiz since he turned pro and despite being British, I actually supported him against AJ in the historic first fight. That fight reminded me why boxing will always be my number one sport; I couldn't sit still or hold a thought in my head, the whole day. I still thought and think that his boxing skills are up there with Fury and now Usyk as the best in the division, though with a different style to both, of course.

I'd love to see him come in around 230 so that he could make the most of his 'mexican' style, which works best when movement and work ethic match handspeed and hooking. He was winning against Parker until his fat ass ran out of gas so I'd love to see him fight at full speed for 12 rounds, even if it's just once.

I think AJ is mentally weak so if he can't implement his game plan early, I see Andy stopping him again.

[ewenhay]

Good to see all the Joshua fans have came out of hiding after 6 months

[oogiebe]

Good to see all the Joshua fans have came out of hiding after 6 months

True that! but they might be right this time.

[oogiebe]

I've been a fan of Andy Ruiz since he turned pro and despite being British, I actually supported him against AJ in the historic first fight. That fight reminded me why boxing will always be my number one sport; I couldn't sit still or hold a thought in my head, the whole day. I still thought and think that his boxing skills are up there with Fury and now Usyk as the best in the division, though with a different style to both, of course.

I'd love to see him come in around 230 so that he could make the most of his 'mexican' style, which works best when movement and work ethic match handspeed and hooking. He was winning against Parker until his fat ass ran out of gas so I'd love to see him fight at full speed for 12 rounds, even if it's just once.

I think AJ is mentally weak so if he can't implement his game plan early, I see Andy stopping him again.

I'm hearing Ruiz is closer to 260 for the fight.

[ewenhay]

Ruiz is just messing with Joshua. He wins the mental mind games against Joshua every day of the week.

He's got to do the business in the ring though ultimately.

[oogiebe]

Ruiz is just messing with Joshua. He wins the mental mind games against Joshua every day of the week.

He's got to do the business in the ring though ultimately.

I keep getting nightmares where the ref doesn't let them fight in close (see Parker vs AJ) and AJ survives and wins a close but controversial decision despite being rocked several times.

[ewenhay]

Ruiz is just messing with Joshua. He wins the mental mind games against Joshua every day of the week.

He's got to do the business in the ring though ultimately.

I keep getting nightmares where the ref doesn't let them fight in close (see Parker vs AJ) and AJ survives and wins a close but controversial decision despite being rocked several times.

Maybe Joe Cortez will make a comeback for this one.

[oogiebe]

I keep getting nightmares where the ref doesn't let them fight in close (see Parker vs AJ) and AJ survives and wins a close but controversial decision despite being rocked several times.

Maybe Joe Cortez will make a comeback for this one.

[ewenhay]

Maybe Joe Cortez will make a comeback for this one.

He's fair but firm.


Allegedly

[oogiebe]

He's fair but firm.


Allegedly

He had his bad performances. Mills Lane. Resurrect him! He's ONLY 82.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Judges & Referee Revealed

Contractual clauses assured Joshua and Ruiz neutrality among the officials for their 12-round rematch at Diriyah Arena.

Judges:
Connecticut’s Glenn Feldman
England’s Steve Gray
Quebec’s Benoit Roussel

Referee: Puerto Rico’s Luis Pabon

Backhround

Gray, of Fleetwood, England, has judged one of Joshua’s first 23 professional fights. He scored Joshua a 118-110 victor over New Zealand’s Joseph Parker in that 12-round title unification fight, which Joshua won by unanimous decision in March 2018 at Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales.

Gray also has served as the referee for five of Joshua’s fights. Most recently, Gray stopped Joshua’s title defense against Alexander Povetkin in the seventh round 14 months ago at Wembley Stadium in London.

Feldman has judged one Joshua bout, but it resulted in a third-round stoppage of Eric Molina in December 2016 in Manchester, England. Roussel will judge a Joshua fight for the first time.

Pabon also will officiate his first Joshua bout. The contracts Joshua and Ruiz signed for their rematch ensured that the referee couldn’t come from the United Kingdom or the United States.

[Enlightened-One]

I've been a fan of Andy Ruiz since he turned pro and despite being British, I actually supported him against AJ in the historic first fight. That fight reminded me why boxing will always be my number one sport; I couldn't sit still or hold a thought in my head, the whole day. I still thought and think that his boxing skills are up there with Fury and now Usyk as the best in the division, though with a different style to both, of course.

I'd love to see him come in around 230 so that he could make the most of his 'mexican' style, which works best when movement and work ethic match handspeed and hooking. He was winning against Parker until his fat ass ran out of gas so I'd love to see him fight at full speed for 12 rounds, even if it's just once.

I think AJ is mentally weak so if he can't implement his game plan early, I see Andy stopping him again.

I'm hearing Ruiz is closer to 260 for the fight.

I'd be pleased with that. He has recently and regularly stated that he didn't want to lose much weight for the rematch, with his target weight loss being 10lbs.