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Oleksandr Usyk could face the winner of Anthony Joshua ’s heavyweight title rematch with Andy Ruiz Jr after being named mandatory challenger by the WBO.
Joshua’s camp are in talks with Ruiz for a rematch of his shock defeat at Madison Square Garden, which saw the Mexican-American inflict a shock sixth-round defeat after knocking the former champion down four times.
Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, is confident that the Watford-born boxer will avenge the first defeat of his career when the pair meet again – set to be in New York once more as was revealed by The Independent – which could set-up a superfight showdown between two of his best boxers.
Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing took on Usyk when he beat former cruiserweight champion Tony Bellew and stepped up to the heavyweight division, though he is yet to make his debut at the weight due to injury.
However, the WBO has installed the 32-year-old Ukrainian as its mandatory challenger, meaning a potential showdown between Joshua and Usyk could be on the cards in early 2020.
Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in picturesShow all 38 1 /38Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in pictures Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in pictures Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr Michael Buffer introduces the two boxers inside Madison Square Garden.
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Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in pictures Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr Oleksandr Usyk watches on from ringside as he seeks a potential future shot at Anthony Joshua.
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Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in pictures Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr James Corden and Jamie Redknapp were two of many famous faces in attendance at the Garden.
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Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in pictures Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr Anthony Joshua prepares for his world title defence against Andy Ruiz Jr
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Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in pictures Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr Joshua made a cagey start as he attempted to work out Ruiz.
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Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in pictures Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr The first round saw little of note as the two showed caution.
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Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in pictures Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr Joshua tried to assert the jab put stayed out of range of Ruiz's left hook.
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Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in pictures Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr Ruiz showed enough to worry Joshua though as he kept the defending champion honest.
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Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in pictures Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr Despite the towering difference in size...
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Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in pictures Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr ...Ruiz refused to walk away from the challenge.
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Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in pictures Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr But after finding his range, Joshua started to exert his dominance in the third.
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Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in pictures Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr A thunderous right hand connected with Ruiz early in the round.
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Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in pictures Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr The fight changed completely 45 seconds into the third round.
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Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in pictures Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr Joshua knocked Ruiz down early in the third round.
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Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in pictures Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr The Mexican-American looked to be heading out of the fight as he staggered back to his feet.
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Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in pictures Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr Miraculously, Ruiz managed to stay in the fight after the knockdown.
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Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in pictures Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr But Ruiz stunned everyone when he sent Joshua to the canvas in the same round.
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Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in pictures Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr Joshua looked as shocked as everyone else at the sudden resurgence.
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Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in pictures Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr When Joshua was put down for a second time in the third round, the champion was close to an early exit.
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Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in pictures Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr The unthinkable looked to be turning into reality as Joshua just beat the count before the bell.
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Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in pictures Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr The defending champion needed all of the time afforded to him to recover.
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Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in pictures Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr Joshua was able to regain his composure and see through rounds four, five and six.
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Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in pictures Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr But he was floored again in the seventh and this time Ruiz went for the kill.
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Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in pictures Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr When he went down for the second time in the seventh, the end was nigh.
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Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in pictures Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr Joshua was in big trouble after taking a flurry of punches.
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Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in pictures Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr Referee Mike Griffin ordered a jubilant Ruiz to the neutral corner.
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Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in pictures Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr Joshua had to use the ropes to get back to his feet.
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Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in pictures Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr Griffin's count continued as Joshua tried to recover.
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Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in pictures Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr Joshua did not respond to the referee's commands, leading to the fight being waved off.
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Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in pictures Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr Griffin waved it off as Joshua did not walk out to him when ordered to.
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Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in pictures Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr Joshua reflects on his first defeat of his career.
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Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in pictures Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr Eddie Hearn confirmed they will seek a rematch for Anthony Joshua against Andy Ruiz Jr
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Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in pictures Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr Ruiz was delighted with the victory as he jumped in the middle of the ring.
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Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in pictures Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr Ruiz celebrates with his team.
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Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in pictures Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr Ruiz became the first Mexican heavyweight world champion
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Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in pictures Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr The A-listers at ringside could barely believe what had happened.
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Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in pictures Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr But Ruiz had done the unthinkable to become unified heavyweight champion.
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Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in pictures Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr Joshua paid tribute to Ruiz before leaving the ring.
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Usyk would prove a dangerous opponent for either Joshua or Ruiz, having left the cruiserweight division as the undisputed champion and World Boxing Super Series champion with an unblemished 16 professional wins, 12 of which came by knockout.
At the time of his last victory over Bellew, Usyk was rated among the pound-for-pound very best, though it remains to be seen how he would cope with the step up in weight division given that he has not boxed since last November, having been forced to withdraw from his planned debut against Carlos Takam in May.
Joshua and Ruiz are yet to agree terms on a rematch deal, though a clause in the original contract has been triggered by Joshua with the pair expected to meet again in New York towards the end of the year.
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