All the details you need to watch Andy Ruiz Jr vs Anthony Joshua 2
The biggest heavyweight fight of the year between American-Mexican world champion Andy Ruiz Jr (33-1, 22 KOs) and former unified heavyweight champion and Olympic gold medallist Anthony Joshua (22-1, 21 KOs) will make the world stand still, according to promoter Eddie Hearn.
With fight fans already asking what time does the Ruiz-Joshua coverage on Sky start, what time will the ringwalks be, and who wins the rematch? It's clear that Hearn is not wrong in his statement.
So, BBN have provided all the details UK viewers need to tune in and watch the historic heavyweight world title fight on the same day in history that Eugene Corri, one of the original members of the National Sporting Club, became the first ever referee to officiate in a boxing ring, 112 years ago:
Date
The highly-anticipated bout takes place on December 7, just 18 days before Christmas.
Venue
The rematch is set to take place in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia, in a newly-constructed 15,000-seater stadium.
Rounds scheduled
12 three-minute heavyweight rounds.
Titles
Joshua's former titles, the WBA 'Super', IBF, WBO and IBO world heavyweight titles, now in the possession of Ruiz, are on the line. The only other belt out there is the WBC title, which has been in unbeaten American Deontay Wilder's possession for five years now.
Ringwalks
UK fight fans can expect 'AJ' and 'The Destroyer' to make their ringwalks at 8:45pm (GMT), as Saudi Arabia is two hours ahead of the UK.
TV Coverage
Coverage starts early at 4pm, on Sky Sports Action Facebook and YouTube channels, then it goes live on Sky Sports Box Office at 5pm.
Live Stream
Even if you are not a Sky TV subscriber you can watch live via PC/Desktop/Mac, NOW TV Box or Smart Stick, iPhone, iPad, Android phone or Android tablet by creating an account at www.skysports.com/boxofficelive.
There is one other way that you can watch if you are not a Sky TV customer, or if you are just out and about on Saturday night by simply finding a suitable pub that is showing the event by visiting pubfinder.sky.com
Undercard Highlights
The first undercard fights have been revealed: Russian powerhouse Alexander Povetkin (35-2, 24 KOs) returns from his August triumph over Briton Hughie Fury to take on USA’s fast-rising Heavyweight talent Michael Hunter (18-1, 12 KOs) in an Eliminator for the WBA World Title.In the third Heavyweight clash of the night, undefeated Croatian star Filip Hrgovic (9-0, 7 KOs) steps up to face former World Title challenger Eric Molina (27-5, 19 KOs) as he puts his WBC International Championship on the line for the third time.
More heavyweight action was confirmed just 10 days before when Dillian Whyte's return to the ring was announced. Whyte (26-1) faces former world title challenger Mariusz Wach (35-5) over 12 rounds.
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Everything you ever need to know about Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr HERE
Press Conference Quotes
The official press conference to formerly announce the fight took place at The Savoy in London on Monday, August 12.
Ruiz has already said that it will be a repeat result, “I know his flaws, I can do a lot better. The only thing he can do is just run around, he's not good at boxing.
"I expect a tougher test this time round, he is more hungry and wants his belts back but that is what is motivating me and making me more hungry. I want to train harder because I know he is, I only had a month and a half to train for the first fight but this time we have a whole camp so it benefits me. It is going to be an exciting fight, a hell of a fight – two big Heavyweights punching each other in the face!"
Londoner Joshua, a consummate professional, vowed to deal with the defeat and return stronger than ever, “I took a loss and I have to take it like a man.
"With the fight, I feel that I was up against a good challenger at the time and I was only champion until June 1, as Andy is champion now, that will last until December 7.” Read more…
Public workout quotes from December 3: "If Andy Ruiz is dedicated to the game we will see each other a third time down the line as well. This won’t be the last time I see Andy Ruiz in the ring. I think we will see each other a third time.” Read more…
Background
The Fairytale of New York on June 1 saw Andy Ruiz Jr become the first Mexican world heavyweight champion with a seventh-round TKO over the heavy favourite reigning unified champion Anthony Joshua.
Ruiz, trained by Manny Robles, was a stand-in opponent for the disgraced Jarrell Miller, after he failed three drug tests, and 'The Destroyer' took his golden opportunity with both hands, despite being widely dismissed by many as having no chance against the undefeated champion, largely due to his portly frame and unathletic appearance.
He bested the Briton from the opening bell, but a flash knockdown in the third round saw Ruiz on the floor for the first time in his career. Clear-eyed, the 29-year-old jumped straight back to his feet to exact revenge by flooring Rob McCracken-trained Joshua in return. Another three knockdowns over the following four rounds eventually caused referee Michael Griffin to call an end to the contest in round seven.
Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr June 1 full fight report: http://britishboxingnews.co.uk/blogs/andy-ruiz-jr-stuns-anthony-joshua
After much back and forth about where the rematch should take place with Madison Square Garden, Mexico, London and Cardiff all being discussed, the bout now heads to the Arabian Peninsula instead, much to the dismay of many fight fans. Eddie explains why the Diriyah was chosen for the location… Read more…
Oleksandr Usyk (16-0) lies in wait for the winner, after he was named as the WBO mandatory challenger.
What happens if Anthony Joshua loses to Andy Ruiz again?
AJ answers the question himself, “If you know me from the amateurs when I’ve lost from certain fights, you get back up and keep going. If I did lose to Andy Ruiz or I lost my next 10 fights, then maybe the next 10 fights weren’t for me but the 11th one might be." Read more…
Predictions
18 boxing professionals and experts give their predictions for Andy Ruiz Jr vs Anthony Joshua 2… Read more…
Betting Odds Supplied by 888Sport
12/5 Andy Ruiz Jr
3/8 Anthony Joshua
33/1 Draw
Running Order
Andy Ruiz Jr vs Anthony Joshua
12×3 WBA 'Super', IBF, WBO and IBO world heavyweight titles
Alexander Povetkin vs Michael Hunter
12×3 WBA world heavyweight title eliminator
Dillian Whyte vs Mariusz Wach
12×3 Heavyweight contest
Filip Hrgovic vs Eric Molina
12×3 WBC International heavyweight title
Mahammadrasul Majidov vs Tom Little
6×3 Heavyweight contest
Diego Pacheco vs Selemani Saidi
6×3 Middleweight contest
Hopey Price vs Swedi Mohamed
4×3 Super-bantamweight contest