TIME is ticking and let’s hope that Joshua vs Ruiz lives up to expectations.
It’s been billed as the fight of the year as Britain’s Anthony Joshua faces Andy Ruiz Jr in Saudi Arabia for the world heavyweight titles he lost in their first meeting back in June.
Joshua was slaughtered by the Mexican in June 1, in one of boxing’s biggest upsetsCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
When is the Joshua vs Ruiz weigh in?
BEFORE the big event, both fighters have to weigh in for the heavyweight contest.
AJ has slimmed down from their meeting on June 1, where Joshua came into the fight looking supreme but lacked speed when the bell went.
He weighed in for that meeting in America at around 18 stone, but expects to be ‘under 17’ for the rematch.
Joshua revealed: “Before I was trying to squat 200kg and bench press a house because I used what got me to where I needed to get to, which was brute strength and physicality, but then I realised there is a sweet science to this sport.
“At my last weight I came in at like 116kg (18.25 stone), 115kg (18.1 stone), that’s with doing weights. I’m going to say we knock off about 5kg or so, because I’ve focused on boxing and the diet.
“Maybe even lighter (than 17 stone/238 pounds), maybe even lighter, I’m punching like a horse kicking back. We say loose and heavy.”
Ruiz on the other hand has been lauded for his new slim-look – but fight fans may be surprised that he is set to weigh the SAME as the New York contest.
Joshua is set to tip the scales well below what he weighed in at for the first boutCredit: Sportsfile – Subscription
Now Ruiz Jr, who had previously claimed he wanted to be 7lbs lighter this time around, has revealed admitted he will probably tip the scales around the 122kg again as he said Joshua’s tactic of slimming down will not make any difference.
He told Sky Sports: “I don’t think it’ll matter, I’ll weigh the same I did on June 1.
“I know AJ has been working on different technicals, he’s slimmed down, so we’ve been working on different things and angles, different pressures and combos, ready for whatever he brings.”
The all-important weigh-in is set for Friday, December 6 – the day before the two do battle in Saudi Arabia.
It will take place at 1pm UK time at the Diriyah Arena.
How can I watch online and on TV?
COVERAGE of the weigh-in won’t be available on TV in the UK.
But it will be shown live and FREE on DAZN or Sky Sports Boxing’s YouTube channels.
Neither require a subscription, simply head to the dedicated channel and watch the live stream on your mobile, tablet, PC or Smart TV.
Full undercard
- Andy Ruiz Jr vs Anthony Joshua (ring walk 8.45pm – WBA Super, IBF, WBO, IBO world heavyweight titles)
- Alexander Povetkin vs Michael Hunter (heavyweight)
- Dillian Whyte vs Mariusz Wach (WBC interim heavyweight title)
- Filip Hrgovic vs Eric Molina (WBC international heavyweight title)
- Mahammadrasul Majidov vs Tom Little (FREE fight on Sky Sports Boxing Facebook and Sky Sports Boxing Youtube from 4pm)
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
