Andy Ruiz Jr. may have pulled off what many people saw as an impossible task against Anthony Joshua on June 1st, but the Mexican-American is unfancied to repeat the feat.
‘The Destroyer’ was around 10/ with UK bookmakers, and even more in the United States, when Ruiz shocked Joshua at Madison Square Garden.
As an agreement for the rematch nears, odds are favoring Joshua to regain his belts.
Ruiz is now 9/4 against across much of the bookmakers. Although some have squeezed in the fractions to 2/1.
Joshua is quite a surprising 1/3 on to defeat Ruiz and gain revenge. Even when the fight is likely to head back to New York later this year.
WBN revealed the news a while ago, which Eddie Hearn has now ratified. MSG is above three United Kingdom venues, most of which seem unworkable in November or December.
Wembley, Tottenham Hotspurs new stadium and the Principality Stadium in Cardiff were mooted. Only the Welsh capital seems viable at the moment due to the roof.
DAZN are pushing for Joshua to head back across the Atlantic. Whilst the man himself is hoping for redemption with the US fans.
A lot of those in the sport are predicting another Ruiz win, so there could be a lot of unhappy oddsmakers by the end of 2019.
Suffering his first loss in such devastating fashion would certainly have some mental effect, if not physical. Joshua may be better served having a warm-up before battling Ruiz at Wembley next summer.
Due to the titles at stake, Joshua and promoter Eddie Hearn could not afford to let Ruiz put those belts on the line. Coupled with the fact that mandatories will also be due very soon.
IBF challenger Kubrat Pulev wants his chance, whilst Oleksandr Usyk and Dillian Whyte are both in line with the WBO and WBC.
All three could get their chances next year.
WILDER
WBC ruler Deontay Wilder will no doubt be targeting Ruiz if Joshua falls again. Both are signed to Al Haymon’s Premier Boxing Champions and would have fought had a rematch clause not been in place for Joshua.
For now, it all hangs on the second encounter. Ruiz knows his financial situation is secure, so this may be of significance in the fight.
Heading into the first bout, Ruiz was still scrapping for his family. Being comfortable could see the unified champion take his eye off the ball.
Should that be the case, Joshua may well be able to capitalize to become a two-time heavyweight champion.
