Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr confirmed for June 1.. and Hearn says it will be tougher than Miller
THE SEARCH for Anthony Joshua’s opponent for his US debut has finally been concluded - with Mexican-American Andy Ruiz officially handed the heavyweight golden ticket.
Ruiz, 29, replaces American Jarrell Miller, who failed three drug tests and saw his WBA, IBF and WBO world title shot cancelled.
According to promoter Eddie Hearn, AJ's new opponent will offer a tougher test than 315 pounder Miller.
Hearn said: “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!”
The fight will not be the first time the California-born scrapper has challenged for a world title, having lost to Joseph Parker in a close points decision for the WBO strap in December 2016.
Parker would go on to surrender that belt to AJ two years later in Cardiff, while Ruiz has gone on to win three on the spin since then - taking his record to 32-1.
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.
Andy Ruiz
Nicknamed “The Destroyer” and blessed with the opportunity of a lifetime - Ruiz has vowed to “change his whole family’s lives” and warned he should not be “underestimated.”
Ruiz said: “The chills – I’m really excited for this fight, 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.
“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."
Ruiz, who one feared he was too fat to be a boxer and who last fought in a daytime scrap, used today's announcement to label Joshua " robot".
He said: “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.”
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Unified champ Joshua is no stranger to change of opponents, having seen Kubrat Pulev replaced by Carlos Takam on two weeks notice in October 2017.
Joshua said: “Ruiz is a different kind of challenge but one I embrace.
“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.”
