Andy Ruiz Jr vows to defeat Anthony Joshua for a second time in rematch
Andy Ruiz Jr has vowed to "make history again" ahead of his world heavyweight title rematch with Anthony Joshua.
The Mexican-American produced one of the greatest upsets in heavyweight boxing history when he defeated Joshua in New York in June.
Ruiz Jr on Tuesday landed in Saudi Arabia to begin preparations for the 'Clash On The Dunes' on December 7.
He said: "It feels good. You know I made history in New York and I'll make history again in Saudi Arabia."
Joshua, who arrived in the country over the weekend, will be looking to regain the IBF, WBA, WBO and IBO title belts after his shock defeat.
Ruiz floored Joshua four times en route to a seventh-round stoppage at Madison Square Garden, handing the Brit his first defeat as a professional.
The first-ever heavyweight world title fight to take place in the Middle East will be staged in the 15,000-seat Diriyah Arena.
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Ruiz Jr v Joshua II: Big fight details
- When: December 7, 2019
- Where: Open-air 12,000-seat stadium in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia
- TV Channel: Sky Sports Box Office
- Records: Ruiz 33-1, 22 KOs. Joshua 22-1, 21 KOs
- Titles on the line: WBA (Super), IBF, WBO and IBO
- Sky Bet odds: Joshua 4/9 (8/11 KO/TKO/DQ, 4/1 points), Ruiz 2/1 (11/4 by KO, 12/1 points)
Ruiz Jr also believes Joshua could make a mistake by shedding muscle mass, and exclusively told Sky Sports: "I saw videos where he looked slimmer. I don't know if that's an advantage or a disadvantage.
"I don't know if he will take the punches as well as he did when he weighed more."
Ruiz Jr admits he'll be lighter after a strict diet but claims it will not affect his strength negatively.
He said: "Me? People are saying I lost too much weight, I won't be strong, he will move me around. I am losing eight pounds from what I weighed on June 1. I'll still be the same, I'll still be strong.
"AJ has always been in shape. He has always looked really good, really cut up."
Joshua responded by saying: "It's interesting that the weight is spoken about a lot.
"You don't make weight, as a heavyweight, then focus on training. You focus on training, feel good at whatever weight, then work around that. I have focused on my boxing aspect. Provided I'm feeling good, the weight will be whatever it is.
"I don't have a target which means I'm ready. I've got to perform in a certain way in the gym then when the boxes have been ticked, the weight will be whatever the weight will be."