Eddie Hearn Open to Booking Anthony Joshua vs. Andy Ruiz Jr. III: “I’m Ready. Let’s Do It”
Follow Us
As the Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury fight has fallen through, it seems there are a bunch of opponents who’re waiting to get their hands on ‘AJ’. Over the past few days, it was reported that Oleksandr Usyk will confront Joshua for the mandatory WBO title defense. But with Eddie Hearn’s recent statements, it seems there’s another stout heavyweight in Andy Ruiz Jr., who’s waiting to fight Joshua again.
Speaking to iFL TV recently, Hearn said, “It’s like deja vu, he Instagram messaged me, ‘I’m ready, let’s do it, AJ vs Ruiz Jr III.’ That’s a fight we’d be interested in.” (h/t Michael Benson)
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Joshua and Ruiz Jr. met each other for the first time in the summer of 2019. In their first in-ring encounter, the ‘Destroyer’ shook the entire fight world by defeating the Brit through a vicious T/KO. This fight is still cited among the biggest upsets of modern-day boxing.
But, ‘AJ’ avenged his loss when the pair locked horns with each other in the rematch. This fight went for full-fledged 12 rounds and Joshua came out right on top by executing his strategies. After that, he fought Kubrat Pulev and attained a sensational win to line himself up for an undisputed bout with his compatriot Tyson Fury.
However, this fight has failed to materialize and Ruiz Jr. wants to capitalize on the same. Even Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, in his above statement, asserted that he’d be interested in booking this massive trilogy between the hard-hitting heavyweights.
Will Andy Ruiz Jr. really get to fight Anthony Joshua at this stage?
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Andy Ruiz Jr. fought Chris Arreola earlier this month. This was his comeback fight, wherein the ‘Destroyer’ fought after a long layoff. A transformed Andy Ruiz Jr. etched a win in this fight, but it didn’t come so easily to him.
On the other side, the WBO has asked Joshua to face Usyk and defend his title in the near future. Considering that, the probabilities for Ruiz Jr. to face Joshua next seems to be pretty slim.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Trending
Gervonta Davis Receives “Bigger Deal” Than Floyd Mayweather Ever Got
May 06, 2024 12:10 PM EDT
Jaime Munguia’s Wholesome Moment With His Wife and Baby Goes Unnoticed Due to Golden Boys’ Embarrassing Mistake, Fan Points Out
May 05, 2024 06:40 AM EDT
“That Little Female…”: Gervonta Davis Lands a Low Blow; Trolls Frank Martin’s Girlfriend In Heated Press Conference
May 05, 2024 09:12 AM EDT
“I’m Not Hugging Someone Who Kicked My A**”: Adrien Broner Reconciling With Marcos Maidana Doesn’t Sit Well With Boxing World
May 05, 2024 09:13 AM EDT
“She’s a Sweetheart”: Jaime Munguia’s Wife Alejandra Steals the Show Ahead of Canelo Alvarez Showdown
May 04, 2024 01:11 PM EDT
Get instantly notified of the hottest Boxing stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.
Follow Us
Moreover, before getting his hands on the British boxer again, Ruiz Jr. should put himself to the test against a couple more sturdy heavyweights. This will help him get a hang of the ring, thus improve him for a Joshua trilogy.
Ruiz Jr. or Oleksandr Usyk? Who should Joshua take on next?