Eddie Hearn admits he is ‘scared’ for Anthony Joshua when heavyweight champ takes on Andy Ruiz
Underdog can become the first Mexican heavyweight world champion and AJ's promoter claimed the California born will 'be a national hero' if he pulls off the mammoth upset
PROMOTER Eddie Hearn admitted he is “scared” for Anthony Joshua when the unified heavyweight champion faces Andy Ruiz Jr on his US debut.
Joshua, 29, defends his WBA, IBF and WBO titles against Mexican-American Ruiz, 29, on June 1 at New York’s famous Madison Square Garden.
Jarrell Miller was the initial opponent but after a trio of failed drug tests a replacement was found - and quick handed, 18stone Ruiz was given the life changing opportunity.
Ruiz can become the first Mexican heavyweight world champion and Hearn claimed the California born will “be a national hero” if he pulls off the mammoth upset.
Hearn told the LA Times: “When I heard this [Ruiz], I thought, ‘This guy really wants it'.
“He thinks he can win. This is a tough fight. This kid can fight. This guy has Mexico behind him.
“Andy Ruiz is not carved out of stone, but once this begins, this a real credible fight.
“There’s going to be a lot of British fans, a lot of Americans and a lot of Mexicans [in New York] because he has the chance to become the first Mexican heavyweight champion, and that’s an opportunity that may never happen again.
“If he wins this fight, he’ll be a national hero. I’m a little bit scared. And I want to be scared.
“This is a new test for Anthony Joshua and now he has to fight a guy with a big set of cojones who will let his hands go, and show his entire heart.”
'DON'T UNDERESTIMATE THIS LITTLE FAT BOY'
Despite his porky frame Ruiz comes into the fight with a record of 32-1 - losing just once in 2016 dropping a contentious points loss to Joseph Parker.
A riled up Ruiz warned AJ not to underestimate "this little fat boy" ahead of the Watford ace's Stateside debut.
Ruiz said: "He's a champion of the world. There's nothing that I can say bad about him, besides that he's big but you know what.
"I'm big too and it doesn't really [matter] how big you are in this game. I'm a big fighter, a combination fighter, so I'm here to win.
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"A lot of people underestimate me, like I said, the way that I look, my appearance, but as soon as they see me throw punches, I'm going to pull out the upset.
"And June 1 tune in, two big heavyweights bashing their face up, and that's the main thing.
"Anthony, don't underestimate this little fat boy. I'm coming for you, just tune in man, you're going down."