Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz: Heavyweight world title rematch to be held in Saudi Arabia

Joshua will be bidding to win back the IBF, WBA and WBO titles which Ruiz ripped from him in a stunning four-knockdown upset at Madison Square Garden in June

Mark Staniforth
Friday 09 August 2019 18:08 BST
Comments
Anthony Joshua reacts to shocking Andy Ruiz defeat

Anthony Joshua's world heavyweight title rematch against Andy Ruiz Jr will take place in Saudi Arabia on 7 December, his promoters Matchroom have announced.

Joshua will be bidding to win back the IBF, WBA and WBO titles which Ruiz ripped from him in a stunning four-knockdown upset at Madison Square Garden in June.

The rematch will be the latest high-profile boxing event to be held in the country after Amir Khan's victory over Australian Billy Dib in July.

The Kingdom also hosted the World Boxing Super Series super-middleweight final between British pair Callum Smith and George Groves last year.

Joshua's bout with Ruiz Jr will take place in Diriyah, a town on the outskirts of the capital Riyadh, which incorporates the UNESCO World Heritage site of Al-Turaif.

Cardiff's Principality Stadium was among the venues proposed for the rematch but Ruiz Jr had insisted the bout must take place either back in the United States or on neutral territory.

PA

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in