Anthony Joshua’s training camp manager David Ghansa revealed that Andy Ruiz Jr. was lined up to be a sparring partner in the fight that ultimately saw the American win Joshua’s heavyweight belts.
Joshua had been expected to fight Jarrell Miller to defend his IBF, WBA and WBO heavyweight titles in the summer of 2019, but failed drug tests meant that Miller had to be replaced.
Ruiz was the man to get the nod, but Ghansa explained that Ruiz was in contact with the Joshua camp already, as a potential training camp member for the Briton.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Ghansa said: "When he was meant to fight Miller, I put together a list.
"I sent that list to Eddie Hearn and asked to make contact with those guys.
"Andy hadn't replied to my messages.
"Eddie messaged him and, within 10 minutes, showed me a screenshot of Ruiz Jr.'s reply. He wanted to know the dates and for how long he would be needed.
"So Ruiz Jr. was meant to come to our camp to be a sparring partner when AJ was supposed to fight Miller.”
Due to the lack of time to available to find a replacement on the bill for Miller, Ruiz used the opportunity to get his name on the card.
"When Miller then failed a drug test, Ruiz Jr. messaged Eddie and said, 'I don't want to come for sparring, I want my name in the hat to fight AJ',” Ghansa said.
"This is the problem we have. There aren't that many guys. At the time, he fit the bill."
Ghansa also admitted that Deontay Wilder, the former WBC heavyweight champion, was also considered as a possible sparring opponent in the past, but the American turned him down.
"We asked Wilder to spar once. This was just after AJ beat Martin," said Ghansa.
"Wilder was in Sheffield getting ready to fight Alexander Povetkin.
"AJ and Wilder weren't really on each other's radars, at the time.
"Wilder's response was, 'Champs don't spar champs'."
Joshua is expected to defend his IBF, WBA and WBO belts against mandatory challenger Kubrat Pulev later this year, and has already settled on Joe Joyce as one sparring partner. Bryant Jennings and Dereck Chisora are two other contenders for preparation in the ring.