Ruiz Jr demands £40m for Joshua rematch in UK

Mexican hero Andy Ruiz Jr is demanding £40 million to meet Anthony Joshua in a UK rematch.

The 19st Snickers loving 25-1 underdog sent Joshua’s US debut up in smoke as the Brit hero was stopped in seven rounds at Madison Square Garden on Saturday.

AJ was on his hands and knees four times before the fight was halted and the greatest heavyweight upset since James “Buster” Douglas’ KO over Mike Tyson 30 years ago was complete.

This week promoter Eddie Hearn, who paid Ruiz £5m, announced a rematch clause had been invoked with Joshua’s crack at redemption set for November or December with the preference in the UK.

However, Ruiz told FightHype he wants the rematch to be in Mexico or the US – but warned Hearn he will have to increase his original purse eight-fold to get the champ over to the UK.
Ruiz, 29, said: “Yeah as they say November or December.

“Right now my team, they’re negotiating everything right now. I’ve just got to stay busy, stay healthy and be ready for the rematch.

“I’d love it to be here in the United States or in Mexico you know. It all depends on the team and what they negotiate.

“If they want me to go over there, they’ve got to give me $50million. If they want to come over here – it’s just negotiations you know.”



Ruiz had to lift himself off the canvas in round three after being decked with a massive left-hook by the 6ft 6in Watford ace.

But an overzealous AJ rushed in for the finish and was clipped with a left-hook that wobbled him before Ruiz bundled the champion to the floor.

Joshua, 29, was again on the floor before the end of round three and never recovered as Ruiz systematically broke down the Brit superstar with body shots and combinations.

The shock victory was complete in round seven as again AJ came out the loser in a swing off and floored twice more – but Ruiz expects a more cautious challenger in the rematch.

Ruiz added: “If we do the rematch, I think he [Joshua] will be more cautious, he’s going to try and box me around, but Anthony’s not good at moving back.

“But if we’re both going to be exchanging punches, I have the faster hands and I can take a punch.”

Source: The Sun