BoxRec

Unified world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua is set to face American Andy Ruiz Jr in New York on 1 June.

Joshua, 29, was due to face Jarrell Miller at Madison Square Garden but the American failed drug tests, forcing him out of the Madison Square Garden bout.

California-born Ruiz, 29, has fought for a world title once before and is likely to be confirmed as Joshua's opponent for his US debut on Tuesday.

Promoter Eddie Hearn says Ruiz will "do anything" to become world champion.

"He will entertain you, give it his all. Even if it means getting sensationally knocked out, he will rather do that than not do it," Hearn told spam.com.

"I couldn't afford a guy who I thought may not be good enough or game enough to entertain the fans. I had to pick a guy in my heart who I thought will do everything to become world heavyweight champion at the Garden."

Ruiz has agreed to terms, leaving only small details to be finalised, with Hearn stating the fight was "close".

Ruiz (left) in his last fight.

spam.com Ironically that probably makes up most of Ruiz's balanced diet

ko round 2 for Joshua. I would go for the first round but ill plum for the second. Fat arse wont get up after hes down.

And this is PPV, is it?

Ruiz is clearly better than his physique, and he ran Parker close (some might argue as close as Dillon White did) - but it is concerning his lack of appetite (yes, pun very much intended) for the game post Parker - way too inactive.

I still prefer him over Hunter mind.

Lets be honest - Miller was probably the 4th of 5th option for Joshua's fight after Povetkin - so it was never going to be good to find a sub who going to be any good. Probably the number #1 ranked non title holder from the states now.

Boxrec have him at 4, but above him are.
Wilder, Miller and Breazele (personally I think he might beat Breazele).

If you want a laugh check out Boxrecs top 25 US Heavyweights.... not laughing at boxrec, but laughing at the state of US Heavyweight boxing...... Oliver McCall, Ray Freaking Austin, BJ Flores, Samuel Peter.... Oliver McCall is 54 - Fifty four!

When is Larry Holmes coming back...... seriously!

stujones wrote: ↑30 Apr 2019, 08:00 Ruiz is clearly better than his physique, and he ran Parker close (some might argue as close as Dillon White did) - but it is concerning his lack of appetite (yes, pun very much intended) for the game post Parker - way too inactive.

I still prefer him over Hunter mind.

Lets be honest - Miller was probably the 4th of 5th option for Joshua's fight after Povetkin - so it was never going to be good to find a sub who going to be any good. Probably the number #1 ranked non title holder from the states now.

Boxrec have him at 4, but above him are.
Wilder, Miller and Breazele (personally I think he might beat Breazele).

If you want a laugh check out Boxrecs top 25 US Heavyweights.... not laughing at boxrec, but laughing at the state of US Heavyweight boxing...... Oliver McCall, Ray Freaking Austin, BJ Flores, Samuel Peter.... Oliver McCall is 54 - Fifty four!

When is Larry Holmes coming back...... seriously!

Sometimes inactivity isn't due to the boxer - Al doesn't get his stable out (especially the 2nd tier) as often as he should

He may be impossible to KO, as he is the shape of a weeble.

kbackup408 wrote: ↑30 Apr 2019, 08:08 Sometimes inactivity isn't due to the boxer - Al doesn't get his stable out (especially the 2nd tier) as often as he should

Yes - but over a year is a bit rediculous for a pro heavy with aspirations and ambitions.

kbackup408 wrote: ↑30 Apr 2019, 08:08 Sometimes inactivity isn't due to the boxer - Al doesn't get his stable out (especially the 2nd tier) as often as he should

Ruiz was with arum and pulled out of several fights out of pure laziness last minute. That's why he sold him to al. I wouldn't be at all surprised if he doesn't post here. Damn shame for Joshua.

Boxerbeetle wrote: ↑30 Apr 2019, 07:36 And this is PPV, is it?

And the undercard, other than Katie Taylor, hasn't been announced has it? Meaning anyone fighting on it hasn't got much time to get in shape, least of all Ruiz. Poor, I'm more likely to buy Whyte v Rivas, and that looks threadbare.

Any credibility they might be able to gain with the casual fan will be lost as soon as they see them face to face. Ruiz is going to look like a short fat blob

Roars Like Me wrote: ↑30 Apr 2019, 08:15 He may be impossible to KO, as he is the shape of a weeble.

Lenny wrote: ↑30 Apr 2019, 08:32 Any credibility they might be able to gain with the casual fan will be lost as soon as they see them face to face. Ruiz is going to look like a short fat blob

....which is what he is, love Hearns sales pitch though

Ruiz is a decent opponent. Better than Povetkin at this stage. I fancied Miller to beat AJ but I can't see Ruiz pulling it off.

What’s the latest on the undercard??....is brook still fighting on it??

Ruiz is a mauling-engaging type of a fighter. He'll go for it and he'll get the worst of it. His chin can be good, but he'll make lotta openings for Joshua's clean bombs and those are lights out for anybody.

The poll should've been just to pick the round. Awful fight.

Eddie pre fight:

Nooooobody, and iiiiI-yyyy meeean noooooobody, has EVVVA knocked out Annndy Ruiz Jnr so far!!! This is a biiiiig test for Ayyyy-Jayyy!!


Eddie post fight:

Noooobody has EVVVVVVVA knocked out Andy Ruiz Jnr, and I mean EVVVA!!! Ayyy-Jayyy is the first man to EVVVVA knock him out. What more can you ask for?


The USP here is to be there first man to knock Ruiz Jnr out.

Exoddus wrote: ↑30 Apr 2019, 07:13

Ruiz (left) in his last fight.

Yeah...this sells...

I love an upset. But I seriously doubt it happens.
Joshua ko 10

tiny_acres wrote: ↑30 Apr 2019, 11:48 I love an upset. But I seriously doubt it happens.
Joshua ko 10

You actually think it could last that long? Or did you mistakenly add a "0?"

oogiebe wrote: ↑30 Apr 2019, 11:50 You actually think it could last that long? Or did you mistakenly add a "0?"

I wouldn't be shocked if it did. I'd just be shocked if he won a minute.

SAPFO wrote: ↑30 Apr 2019, 11:41 Eddie pre fight:

Nooooobody, and iiiiI-yyyy meeean noooooobody, has EVVVA knocked out Annndy Ruiz Jnr so far!!! This is a biiiiig test for Ayyyy-Jayyy!!


Eddie post fight:

Noooobody has EVVVVVVVA knocked out Andy Ruiz Jnr, and I mean EVVVA!!! Ayyy-Jayyy is the first man to EVVVVA knock him out. What more can you ask for?


The USP here is to be there first man to knock Ruiz Jnr out.

Haha I can imagine him saying exactly this

Onetimeonly wrote: ↑30 Apr 2019, 11:55 I wouldn't be shocked if it did. I'd just be shocked if he won a minute.

Underestimating Ruiz here.