By Gabriel Princewill-
Anthony Joshua may be heading to Saudi Arabia on December 7 in an attempt to regain the three world title belts from Andy Ruiz Jr which he sensationally lost in June during his American debut.
The two camps have up until now disagreed on the venue of the fight , with Ruiz insisting he did not want the fight to take place n the Uk. Other options for the venue of the fight include Quatar and Dubai; the Middle East now vying to become a big player in hosting major sporting events.
The Cardiff’s Principality Stadium was previously being pursued by Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearns, but Saudi Arabia is now the front runner for the rematch to take place.
Ruiz Jnr, 29, stopped Joshua at Madison Square Garden in New York after dropping the Londoner twice in the third round and the seventh round in a dramatic night that saw Joshua loose his world championship belts alongside the accompanying glory he enjoyed.
Joshua (right) and Ruiz (left), getting set for cracking return
Image: Sky Sports
WARM UP
A number of observers including David Haye and Deontey Wilder have suggested that Joshua have a warm up fight before going straight into a rematch with Ruiz, but the Londoner has insisted on skipping any interim fight and gong back to the deep end in search for the glory that eluded him on that fateful June night.
Joshua recently expressed confidence in avenging the loss when the pair meet for their eagerly awaited contest, stating that he would whoop Ruiz even if his Uncle were to be the referee for the match.
Ruiz has himself berated Joshua, saying he is not a good boxer- the contrast in perceptions about each other, in itself, making for a cracking return fight. Confirmation of the fight’s venue is expected later today, in what will undoubtedly be the most significant fight of the year.