Timetable set for Joshua-Ruiz II
In an interview with Sky Sports, Matchroom Boxing Promoter Eddie Hearn has given the boxing community a time table in terms of the rematch for Andy Ruiz Jr. and Anthony Joshua.
This match, of course, comes right off the heels of Hearn invoking his immediate rematch clause earlier this month following Ruiz upset victory over the former IBF, WBO, and WBA (Super) heavyweight champion.
AJ to decide on rematch in New York@eddiehearn outlines when and where @anthonyfjoshua's rematch with Andy Ruiz Jr may happen.
Read More ? https://t.co/PrDaTNIgpR pic.twitter.com/KuzYPWRy9d
— Sky Sports Boxing (@SkySportsBoxing) June 19, 2019
“The job over the next week is just to finalize the details now of just where and when that will be,” Hearn told Sky Sports News.
“I can’t tell you too much, just because I don’t know other than, between November 16 and December 14 will be the date of the fight. We’ve had offers from five different countries to stage the fight. For me, it’s a straight decision between the UK or America.”
In terms of where the fight to take place, Hearn told Sky Sports that he would suggest doing it in the UK, but would not rule out the possibility of the battle again in the United States.
“Anthony feels as though it would be special to rewrite history and get the win at Madison Square Garden. It’s really not about the money so much, it’s just about where we believe this fight should take place and those decisions will be made in the next week”, Hearn told Sky Sports.
Hearn also proposed the idea of a few sites where Joshua has shined already in the United Kingdom.
“We’ve seen him in great performances in Wembley and in Cardiff, and it would be a special night to do it there, 80,000, 90,000 – it’s the biggest fight in boxing in the moment.”
Ultimately, Hearn is leaving the final decision up to Joshua.
“He’s going to make the decision at the end of the day, wherever he wants the fight is where it’s going to be,” said Hearn to Sky Sports. “Right now, there’s definitely an element of ‘I feel like I should do it there.”
While Joshua will have the final say on the site, here’s hoping that the quick turnaround of the fight will prevent him from regaining his title back he lost to Ruiz earlier in June.
Marquis Johns is a unknown humorist and avid boxing fan. His love for the sweet science goes back to when matches were 15 rounds and has been covering fights since closed-circuit pay-per-views. Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the mouth is not only a quote by Mike Tyson, it's also a pretty good reminder to keep your guard up.
