Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz press conference: Joshua says champion is ‘the best heavyweight out there’ ahead of rematch
Three months before the encounter, the pair fire their verbal salvos in London
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Your support makes all the difference.Anthony Joshua emphatically stated that Andy Ruiz is the “best heavyweight out there” ahead of the pair’s highly anticipated rematch in Saudi Arabia on 7 December.
‘The Clash on the Dunes’ will see Ruiz look to again best Joshua after his shock victory saw him take three title belts from the Englishman, and Ruiz vowed to win in similar fashion in Diriyah.
Three months before the encounter, the pair fired their verbal salvos in London. See how the press conference unfolded below:
Joshua lost his WBA, WBO and IBF world heavyweight titles in one of the most high-profile shocks of the generation when unheralded Andy Ruiz Jr stopped him inside seven unforgettable rounds at New York’s Madison Square Garden on 1 June.
He has since agreed a deal to face Ruiz in an immediate rematch on 7 December in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia and is expected to bank a career-high payday as a result of his decision to box in the desert kingdom.
"It's something amazing that my son did. Nobody believed he would win the fight," Andy Ruiz Senior says, before referring to his son as the "Mexican Rocky."
Anthony Joshua's trainer talks up his man's chances, suggesting he was caught a little off-guard by Ruiz's insertion into the first fight after Jarrell Miller was forced out.
"Everybody has a bad night, everybody fights a fighter when they are not on form. But it can be put right.
"It's all been a learning experience, a huge one for Anthony."
Rob McCracken spoke very well there, and Manny Robles, Ruiz's trainer, is following in kind, talking up both men and why this fight is so intriguing, delving into the psyche of Joshua who will fight as a beaten boxer for the first time.
Right - over to Anthony Joshua...
"Right now, in my opinion, Andy Ruiz is the best heavyweight out there," Joshua emphatically states.
Joshua suggests he is going to jog to the ring, and get "down and dirty" in the fight.
It seems Joshua has been quite impressed with the Saudi Arabian hospitality in his forays into the country in the past, and talks up Eddie Hearn, sitting directly to his right, as a fine promoter, sharing a laugh.
"I hope the hard work pays off on December 7th.
"The motivation is forever within me. Put me on the streets, cleaning graffiti, and I will make sure my cleaning is better than yours.
"I didn't want to go around different heavyweights and have some warm-up fights. I know what I want to do. I believe in myself and that instinct, I've got something right in front of me and I'm going to go for it and put on a good fight in December."
Over to Andy Ruiz, whose sombrero really is quite glorious. Mexican colours, sparkled triangles around the brim and a grand top that makes his head look enormous. No half measures.
I do it for my kids, we sacrifice our lives. I still have that hunger. Look at those belts - do you think I want to lose them right away?
Andy Ruiz Jr
"Everybody doubted me since I was a little kid, and there were times when I wanted to quit.
"The main thing is believing.
"I've been doing this since I was six years old. This is the only thing I know how to do.
"That's why I've got to give it all I've got."
Ruiz mentions his children several times, and says he's doing all of this for them.
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