Andy Ruiz Jr. has landed a dream World title shot at Heavyweight king
Anthony Joshua OBE on Saturday June 1 at Madison Square Garden in New
York, live on DAZN in the US and on Sky Sports Box Office in the UK.
Ruiz (32-1 21 KOs) can become the first ever Mexican Heavyweight World
champion when he meets AJ at the vaunted Manhattan boxing mecca and
comes into the bout in fine form. The 29 year old recorded his 21st KO
win on his 32 fight ledger when he forced the retirement of Alexander
Dimitrenko after five rounds of their clash in Carson, California ten
days ago.
The Californian-based Mexican is in his second World title tilt having
pushed Joseph Parker to the limit for the WBO crown in the Kiwi’s
Auckland hometown in December 2016, being edged out by the finest of
margins via majority decision.
Joshua (22-0 21 KOs) defends his IBF, WBA, WBO and IBO crowns for the
second time, as his eighth World title fight lands on his
hotly-anticipated American debut after KOing Alexander Povetkin at
Wembley Stadium, London in September. That was the second dramatic KO
win for the Londoner in the national stadium of his hometown, with
today’s announcement coming two years and one day after his epic victory
over former undisputed World ruler Wladimir Klitschko.
Ruiz has a golden opportunity to stop Joshua’s own quest to become the
undisputed king dead in it’s tracks, and the challenger believes it is
his destiny to stun Joshua and become Heavyweight World champion in the
Big Apple.
“The chills – I’m really excited for this fight,” said Ruiz.
“There’s nervousness in me, but they’re happy nerves. This is my chance
to make history, I want to be one of those greats like Chavez, Tyson,
Holyfield, Lennox Lewis. I want to be in that category. Thanks to God
for everything that he put in me, I just can’t wait.
“I think the fight is going toe-to-toe, two guys smashing each other’s
faces. I’m going in there to throw combinations like I’ve never done
before, to improve my speed. A lot of people underestimated me, and I’m
used to that. My whole life people underrated me so I’m just going in
there to take all. I’m not going in there scared and I’m not going in
there nervous, I’m going to go in there mad and to take what’s mine.
“I think being so tall he fights like a big robot. I think with my
style, my speed, my movement, I don’t think he’s fought anybody like me.
It’s going to be a whole different ball game. All the guys that he’s
fought, they usually run around from him. I don’t think he’s good going
back. I’m going to bring the pressure, the speed, and the combinations
to him.
“When I do pull out this win, everything is going to change. I’m going
to bring the titles back to Mexico, it’s going to mean everything. I’m
going to be able to change my whole family’s lives; my life and all my
kids. It’s a win-win situation right now, but the main thing is to win
the fight and make history.”
“Ruiz is a different kind of challenge but one I embrace,” said Joshua.
“We have worked in the boxing gym week on week and whomever is put in
front of me at Madison Square Garden on June 1 will be dispatched in
style. The rent will be collected.”
“After a tricky week I am delighted to announce Andy Ruiz Jr. as AJ’s
opponent for his US debut at MSG on June 1,” said promoter Eddie Hearn.
“People talk about fighting AJ, some even have to fill their bodies
with PEDs to try and beat him up, but very few genuine fighters step up
and take the challenge.
“When we selected the opponent, I wanted someone with fire in their
heart, someone who genuinely believed that they can win and become World
Heavyweight champion. Andy showed that desire.
“In my opinion, this is a tougher test than Jarrell Miller. Andy punches
harder and is much faster – this is going to be a war. Andy brings
Mexican heart but he will meet the best Heavyweight in the world on June
head on at the Garden. Do not blink!”
“Credit to Andy Ruiz Jr. for taking on this challenge. He said he wanted
to fight for the World Heavyweight championship in 2019 and immediately
backed up his words when given the opportunity,” said Joseph Markowski, DAZN Executive Vice President, North America.
“We’re also very happy to be working with a true champion like AJ, who
told us he would fight anyone put in front of him – even on short
notice. Clearly, he is a man of character who is committed to his craft,
as well as his partners and the legions of fans traveling in from the
UK to watch his US debut.”
Adam Smith, Head of Sky Sports Boxing, said: “Andy Ruiz
Jr. has snatched the golden ticket for a clash with Britain’s unified
champion Anthony Joshua and he’ll bring fast hands, World Heavyweight
championship experience – and a more proven pedigree than Jarrell
Miller.
“When I saw Anthony in camp last week his message was clear, ‘Line them
all up!’ He really wants to dominate the division and Ruiz Jr is the
first man in his way.
“It will be an absolutely thrilling night on Sky Sports Box Office as AJ
makes his US debut in the iconic Madison Square Garden – and the
incredible Katie Taylor bids to become the undisputed world Lightweight
champion!”
Joshua and Ruiz clash on a huge night of action at Madison Square Garden
with Irish sensation Katie Taylor clashing with Delfine Persoon for the
undisputed Women’s World Lightweight championship – with more undercard
fights to be announced shortly.
