Anthony Joshua to face Andy Ruiz Jr in United States debut
Joshua was set to face Jarrell Miller before the American reportedly failed multiple drug tests.
Anthony Joshua will defend his WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight titles against Andy Ruiz Jr on June 1 at Madison Square Garden.
Joshua had been left in the lurch ahead of his United States bow after it emerged a couple of weeks ago that American foe Jarrell Miller had reportedly failed multiple drug tests.
The likes of Luis Ortiz and Michael Hunter had been linked with stepping into the breach but it is Ruiz Jr who will fill in as a replacement with a month’s official notice.
The Californian-born 29-year-old has won 32 of his 33 professional contests, with his only setback a razor-thin majority points defeat to Joshua’s former opponent Joseph Parker in December 2016.
Ruiz Jr 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 (Julio Cesar) Chavez, (Mike) Tyson, (Evander) Holyfield, Lennox Lewis. I want to be in that category.”
At 6ft 2in, Ruiz Jr will be giving away four inches in height and many more in reach but he is bullish about his prospects of causing a seismic upset.
“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.
“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.
“When I do pull out this win, everything is going to change. It’s going to mean everything.”
Joshua – who has won all 22 of his contests in the paid ranks and all but one inside the distance – is unfazed by the change in opponent.
The Briton said: “Ruiz is a different kind of challenge but one I embrace.
Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn feels Ruiz Jr will present a harder challenge for his charge than Miller.
Hearn said: “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 will meet the best Heavyweight in the world on June head on at the Garden. Do not blink!”
