On June 2, the boxing world witnessed another major upset when champion Anthony Joshua took on Andy Ruiz Jnr in a heavyweight bout with his IBF, WBA and WBO on the line.
When it concluded in the seventh round, Joshua suffered a shock defeat, the first of his career against challenger Andy Ruiz Jnr at the Madison Square Garden.
Joshua has another chance to prove his mettle and reclaim the IBF, WBA and WBO world titles when the rematch is staged in the UK, most likely in October or November.
Prior to the fight, the two held held impressive records and in the bout it showed: (Joshua: 22 fights, 22 wins, 21 Kos/Ruiz: 33 fights, 32 wins (21 KOs) and one defeat to Joseph Parker.)
In a match which only came off because Jarrell Miller the designated opponent of Joshua had failed three drug tests, opening the door for Andy Ruiz Jnr.
And when chubby Ruiz sieved the opportunity, he made it count. Ruiz floored Joshua four times en route to a seventh-round stoppage stunning about 19,000 attendees who couldn’t believe what had just befell Joshua who had not tasted defeat prior. A review of the match showed Ruiz’s moves and actions were calculated and well thought out.
And now Ruiz, 29, the WBO heavyweight insists he will only agree to a rematch with Anthony Joshua in the UK if he is paid £40million. Ruiz also wants the rematch to take place in America or Mexico although Joshua has the final say which is likely to be staged in Cardiff.
“If they want me to go over there, they’ve got to give me $50million. If they want to come over here…It’s just negotiations you know,” Ruiz told Fight Hub.
He added: “Right now my team; they’re negotiating everything right now. I’ve just got to stay busy, stay healthy and be ready for the rematch. It all depends on the team and what they negotiate.”
Ruiz reportedly earned around £5m for the first fight at Madison Square Garden, while Joshua earned around £20m after defeat.
Tyson Fury, Deontay Wilder, Dillian Whyte, Luis Ortiz, Joseph Parker, Kubrat Pulev, Oscar Rivas, Tom Schwarz, Adam Kownacki, Jarrel Milller and Oleksandr Usyk all have their eyes set on the heavyweight title.
By Michael Eli Dokosi/goldstreetbusiness.com
