Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz rematch set for Saudi Arabia in December

Anthony Joshua and Andy Ruiz will travel to Diriyah, Saudi Arabia for their highly-anticipated rematch in December.

Ruiz knocked out Joshua in the seventh round of their first meeting on 1 June in New York, taking his IBF, WBA, WBO and IBO heavyweight titles from him in the process.

There has been much discussion over where a rematch should take place with Ruiz pushing for a fight in Mexico and AJ wanting home advantage in the UK. However, the two teams have settled on neutral ground with the two heavyweights clashing again in Diriyah on Saturday 7 December. The Athletic confirmed: 

The fight will take place at an open-air outdoor venue being constructed for the fight

However, the Telegraph reports that ‘Saudi Arabian sports entities having put up close to 100 million US dollars for the contest to take place there.’ It is also believed that Sky Box Office will be showing the fight in the UK and Dazn will have the rights in the US.

Joshua had previously confirmed that the bout would be in neutral territory, although had not mentioned Saudi Arabia. ‘There’s two ends to it,’ AJ told Sky Sports. ‘One, I’ll fight in Tijuana and Ruiz’s uncle can be the referee and I’ll still whoop him.

It doesn’t matter to me where it is – there’s that aspect. ‘But then there’s the other where the British fans that have been riding with me from day one want to see me get them belts back. 

‘Walking out in Cardiff in front of 70, 80, 90,000 people screaming for me to win, that type of energy that goes through your body is unstoppable. ‘However, it’s going to be on neutral ground.’