Anthony Joshua is relishing the opportunity to avenge his loss to Andy Ruiz Jr, whom he laughed at after the pre-fight press conference for their eagerly-anticipated rematch.
Olympic gold medallist Joshua lost the WBA (Super), WBO, IBF and IBO heavyweight titles to Ruiz Jr at Madison Square Garden in New York on June 1.
The Watford warrior suffered a devastating seventh-round TKO loss to ‘The Destroyer’, who was a late replacement for the disgraced Jarrell Miller, in what proved to be the biggest upset in boxing history since James ‘Buster’ Douglas beat Mike Tyson in 1990.
Joshua, 29, will have the opportunity to avenge the first loss of his career in Saudi Arabia on December 7.
‘AJ’ is more motivated than ever and his hellbent on exacting revenge on Mexico’s first heavyweight titleholder.
“I feel I was up against the good challenger at the time. And as I mentioned I was only champion until June 1,” Joshua said during the first Ruiz Jr vs Joshua II pre-fight press conference.
“And as Andy’s champion right now, that will last until December 7.
“Until he has to put his titles in the air and two warriors go to war and the best man walks out victorious. I’m really looking forward to the challenge.”
Despite having emphatically ended Joshua’s title reign, Ruiz Jr isn’t taking the former champion lightly.
He said: “On December 7, I know Anthony Joshua is coming hard. He’s going to come in strong. I know he’s going to be preparing really good. But so am I.
“I know a lot of people are saying that I’m not training and that I’m not taking it serious.
“But come on, I got all these belts. God knows I’m going to try my best and I’m going keep these belts and I’m going to have them back in Mexico.
“I’m really excited, man. December 7, I’m going to make another history and I’m going to win here in the same fashion and same way I won on June 1 and I’m going to prove everybody wrong.”
Shortly after giving their thoughts on their second showdown, Joshua and Ruiz Jr faced off for the first time since their Madison Square Garden clash.
The pair exchanged intense looks before muttering a few words to one another.
And Ruiz Jr’s pre-fight trash talk appeared to entertain Joshua, who burst into laughter moments before walking away from his rival.
Joshua’s head coach Rob McCracken came in for intense criticism following the shocking loss, with many calling for his head to roll.
The renowned trainer has remained part of Team Joshua and is looking forward to helping his student erase the memory of that fateful night at MSG.
‘AJ’ is more motivated than ever and his hellbent on exacting revenge on Mexico’s first heavyweight titleholder,” said McCracken.
“‘AJ’ is driven now and he’s determined to get them titles back. So it’s going to be really interesting. It’s going to be exciting every step of the way.”