Andy Ruiz Jr. shocked the boxing world back in June when he sent Anthony Joshua to the canvas four times and earned a seventh-round stoppage to become the IBF, WBA and WBO heavyweight champion.
Joshua quickly invoked the rematch clause so he and his promoter Eddie Hearn would determine where and when the second fight took place. After talking with venues around the world, Hearn announced that Ruiz and Joshua would be on Dec. 7 in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia.
Ruiz didn't appear sold on the fight location, at one point stating "we’re going to bring it [the rematch] back here in the United States.” But that changed when Ruiz took to his Twitter page on Friday night to announce he would be putting his three belts on the line against Joshua in Saudi Arabia. The 29-year-old said he plans to not only prove the first win was far from a fluke, but to also ensure that Joshua will never set foot inside of a boxing ring again.
"I dethroned the king June 1st and made history becoming the first Mexican/American Heavyweight Champion of the world," Ruiz said. "I’m looking forward to ending his career in the desert."
Ruiz (33-1, 22 KOs) stepped up to the plate on one month's notice to accept the Joshua on June 1 when original opponent Jarrell "Big Baby" Miller got pulled for failing a series of drug tests. Before then, Ruiz had fought 11 days earlier, defeating Alexander Dimitrenko when the latter refused to come out for the sixth round.