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

[Ruthless-RKO]

[Ruthless-RKO]

Matchroom Sport has officially confirmed that the anticipated rematch between Andy Ruiz and Anthony Joshua will take place on December 7th in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia.

Eddie Hearn of Matchroom will hold a press conference this coming Monday in London, to discuss the details of the event.

The card is being called "Clash on The Dunes."

Ruiz was a massive underdog heading into the bout. He accepted the fight on late notice, after original opponent Jarrell Miller was pulled from the contest after testing positive for banned substances in three separate drug tests administrated by VADA.

A few days after the loss, Joshua exercised his contractual right to an immediate rematch.

There was an immediate tug of war over the location. Joshua and his handlers wanted Principality Stadium in Cardiff, while Ruiz and his handlers wanted a location in the United States or Mexico.

Joshua, as the A-side of the deal, had the power to select the location, and it appeared that Cardiff would be the eventual pick. But, a large group of investors in Saudi Arabia reportedly staked a near $100 million to secure the rights to stage the event.

Sky Sports Box Office will carry the rematch in the UK. DAZN has yet to confirm their involvement, but the streaming service is expected to secure the fight.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Was wondering why DAZN logo was not on the poster. I’m guessing UK fans are getting prime time. 10-11pm.

Saudi is only 2 hours ahead.

USA will get this late afternoon i’m Guessing.

[ironbeard]

[diddy]

Obviously this is where theyre getting the most money.

Joshua gets his belts back in a cautious snoozefest.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Obviously this is where theyre getting the most money.

Joshua gets his belts back in a cautious snoozefest.

He’s just gonna box behind his jab. Keep a distance with the jab. He’s gonna box how he did against Parker. Or how Lewis boxed against Tua. Play it safe and regain belts.

[diddy]

Obviously this is where theyre getting the most money.

Joshua gets his belts back in a cautious snoozefest.

He’s just gonna box behind his jab. Keep a distance with the jab. He’s gonna box how he did against Parker. Or how Lewis boxed against Tua. Play it safe and regain belts.

Correct.

[margaret thatcher]

AJ was up 2-0 and scored a nice KD boxing to orders. He can defo win rounds and hurt Andy.

That said, once he was hurt he just did not react well at all. The biggest thing for AJ is to be able to compose himself better if he faces adversity.

[diddy]

Joshua needs his legs and faculties in order to employ the sort of jab and move gameplan he needs to employ against a guy that just wants to get inside. From Rd3 on in that fight he didnt have his faculties because his legs were gone after being dropped HARD when getting caught in a WILD exchange that he engaged in when pursuing a fight finishing KO. That reckless stuff cannot be present in this fight - a fight he literally cannot afford to lose.

[greg]

...there's nothing wrong with playing safe if it gets you the win..

[ewenhay]

Money aside I'm surprised they've agreed to Saudi.

If he wasn't comfy in Miami and New York he isn't going to like it there.I assume he'll train in Dubai then fly in though.

[DrDuke]

Repeat. Joshua won't be ready that fast.

[Bandog]

If they get Giuseppe Quartarone to referee like they did for the Parker fight, he'll keep AJ safe. That was pretty sad.

[lillywhite14]

If they get Giuseppe Quartarone to referee like they did for the Parker fight, he'll keep AJ safe. That was pretty sad.

Slight revisionism starting no to unfold with this fight. People talking like Parker had him on toast if it wasn’t for the ref. Joshua was better than him that night and a deserved winner.

[oogiebe]

AJ will still get hit. AJ will still get hurt. Ruiz will still be champ.

[greg]

AJ will still get hit. AJ will still get hurt. Ruiz will still be champ.

..that certainly remains to be seen

[oogiebe]

AJ will still get hit. AJ will still get hurt. Ruiz will still be champ.

..that certainly remains to be seen

Of course.

[KiwiRider]

I think the weigh in will be important for this fight. If Joshua comes in light like he did against Parker, I give him a way better chance.

[Onetimeonly]

Obviously this is where theyre getting the most money.

Joshua gets his belts back in a cautious snoozefest.

[Ruthless-RKO]

I think the weigh in will be important for this fight. If Joshua comes in light like he did against Parker, I give him a way better chance.

He’s already lost weight

[Best Coast]

Glad the rematch is settled but I will delay my prediction until the last few days for several reasons.

* The mental aspect of the bout. Even AJ admits he needs to "regain his passion" and his mental toughness is in question after that first performance. Let's see how his confidence level is come fight week.

* The physical component. Will AJ come in stiff and muscle-bound like before or will he try a more flexible approach?

* The selection of referee could have more of a bearing than most fights. A favorable, pro-Matchroom ref could have a lot of influence in trying to limit Ruiz's chances of repeating his KO of the first bout, particuarly if AJ tries a super-cautious strategy of boxing from the outside and keeping Ruiz at a distance.

[margaret thatcher]

It's not just about AJ

[Bandog]

If they get Giuseppe Quartarone to referee like they did for the Parker fight, he'll keep AJ safe. That was pretty sad.

Slight revisionism starting no to unfold with this fight. People talking like Parker had him on toast if it wasn’t for the ref. Joshua was better than him that night and a deserved winner.

Not at all. As the article points out, the ref killed what could have been a great fight. Parker's only chance was to fight inside, and with that ref, he had no chance.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/boxing/2018 ... led-fight/

[oogiebe]

Slight revisionism starting no to unfold with this fight. People talking like Parker had him on toast if it wasn’t for the ref. Joshua was better than him that night and a deserved winner.

Not at all. As the article points out, the ref killed what could have been a great fight. Parker's only chance was to fight inside, and with that ref, he had no chance.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/boxing/2018 ... led-fight/

That's how I saw it too. Can't say what would've happened but the ref took away any inside fighting.

[diddy]

Joshua was -3000 the first fight.

Now he’s -300. Real money making opportunity at those odds. And he will be taking it seriously this time.