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Andy Ruiz Jr will make the first defence of his WBA, WBO & IBF World Heavyweight Titles in Saudi Arabia as he takes on Anthony Joshua in a mega rematch on Saturday night (live on Sky Sports Box Office in the United Kingdom and DAZN worldwide).
The 'Destroyer' (and 12-1 underdog) dethroned Joshua earlier this year with a 7th round TKO victory, sending shockwaves across the boxing world. So, gentlemen, let's get into it!
Personally, I absolutely cannot wait for this one, looking forward to this more than Christmas itself. Will it be repeat or revenge?
UK viewers, will you succumb to the price increase slapped on the event by Sky Boxing and purchase the PPV at the new £24.95 price? I last bought a PPV when Joshua took on Klitschko, I was ready to break that drought and buy this rematch until I realised that we were being asked to make up the difference for the £9.99 KSI vs Paul fight. I feel slighted by the move so I won't be buying it but will you?
How about the undercard? Featuring heavyweight clashes such as Michael Hunter vs Alexander Pedvetkin and Pillian Whyte vs Mariusz Wach, any of those take your fancy?
But most importantly, can Andy Ruiz Jr retain his world titles in Saudi? It's often said that you're not a world champion until you've made a successful first defence, was Joshua not at the races the first time around or has Ruiz Jr got his number?
From the top of my head here are some heavyweight rematches that have gone the same way
HOLYFIELD vs Tyson II
BELLEW vs Haye II
FURY vs Chisora II
And some where revenge was sweet
HOLYFIELD vs Bowe II
LEWIS vs Rahman II
LEWIS vs McCall II
Joshua currently slight favourite with the bookmaker's but I expect that will shift during the week.
I'll go on the record (again) by predicting Ruiz Jr to retain his titles and do so inside the distance.
The 'Destroyer' (and 12-1 underdog) dethroned Joshua earlier this year with a 7th round TKO victory, sending shockwaves across the boxing world. So, gentlemen, let's get into it!
Personally, I absolutely cannot wait for this one, looking forward to this more than Christmas itself. Will it be repeat or revenge?
UK viewers, will you succumb to the price increase slapped on the event by Sky Boxing and purchase the PPV at the new £24.95 price? I last bought a PPV when Joshua took on Klitschko, I was ready to break that drought and buy this rematch until I realised that we were being asked to make up the difference for the £9.99 KSI vs Paul fight. I feel slighted by the move so I won't be buying it but will you?
How about the undercard? Featuring heavyweight clashes such as Michael Hunter vs Alexander Pedvetkin and Pillian Whyte vs Mariusz Wach, any of those take your fancy?
But most importantly, can Andy Ruiz Jr retain his world titles in Saudi? It's often said that you're not a world champion until you've made a successful first defence, was Joshua not at the races the first time around or has Ruiz Jr got his number?
From the top of my head here are some heavyweight rematches that have gone the same way
HOLYFIELD vs Tyson II
BELLEW vs Haye II
FURY vs Chisora II
And some where revenge was sweet
HOLYFIELD vs Bowe II
LEWIS vs Rahman II
LEWIS vs McCall II
Joshua currently slight favourite with the bookmaker's but I expect that will shift during the week.
I'll go on the record (again) by predicting Ruiz Jr to retain his titles and do so inside the distance.
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