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Anthony Joshua has to overcome “mental warfare” in his rematch against Andy Ruiz Jr , promoted Eddie Hearn has claimed.
Joshua was stunned by Ruiz in the pair’s first meeting, with the Mexican-American claiming a shock victory and the four heavyweight titles that will again be on the line in the pair’s rematch.
Yet Hearn is confident that after a period of reflection Joshua is ready for the fight in Saudi Arabia, and confident he can avenge the defeat.
“I spoke to him (Joshua) a couple of days ago, he’s in Saudi Arabia and very happy. He’s trained hard and is just tapering down now, probably getting his last sparring in,” Hearn told Sky Sports .
“It took him a while to get over the defeat, he had to ask himself some questions, but the way he has bounced back is admirable.
Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in picturesShow all 38 1 /38Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in pictures Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in pictures Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr Michael Buffer introduces the two boxers inside Madison Square Garden.
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Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in pictures Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr Oleksandr Usyk watches on from ringside as he seeks a potential future shot at Anthony Joshua.
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Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in pictures Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr James Corden and Jamie Redknapp were two of many famous faces in attendance at the Garden.
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Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in pictures Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr Anthony Joshua prepares for his world title defence against Andy Ruiz Jr
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Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in pictures Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr Joshua made a cagey start as he attempted to work out Ruiz.
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Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in pictures Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr The first round saw little of note as the two showed caution.
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Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in pictures Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr Joshua tried to assert the jab put stayed out of range of Ruiz's left hook.
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Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in pictures Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr Ruiz showed enough to worry Joshua though as he kept the defending champion honest.
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Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in pictures Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr Despite the towering difference in size...
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Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in pictures Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr ...Ruiz refused to walk away from the challenge.
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Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in pictures Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr But after finding his range, Joshua started to exert his dominance in the third.
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Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in pictures Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr A thunderous right hand connected with Ruiz early in the round.
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Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in pictures Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr The fight changed completely 45 seconds into the third round.
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Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in pictures Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr Joshua knocked Ruiz down early in the third round.
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Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in pictures Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr The Mexican-American looked to be heading out of the fight as he staggered back to his feet.
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Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in pictures Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr Miraculously, Ruiz managed to stay in the fight after the knockdown.
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Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in pictures Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr But Ruiz stunned everyone when he sent Joshua to the canvas in the same round.
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Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in pictures Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr Joshua looked as shocked as everyone else at the sudden resurgence.
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Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in pictures Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr When Joshua was put down for a second time in the third round, the champion was close to an early exit.
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Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in pictures Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr The unthinkable looked to be turning into reality as Joshua just beat the count before the bell.
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Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in pictures Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr The defending champion needed all of the time afforded to him to recover.
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Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in pictures Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr Joshua was able to regain his composure and see through rounds four, five and six.
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Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in pictures Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr But he was floored again in the seventh and this time Ruiz went for the kill.
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Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in pictures Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr When he went down for the second time in the seventh, the end was nigh.
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Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in pictures Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr Joshua was in big trouble after taking a flurry of punches.
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Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in pictures Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr Referee Mike Griffin ordered a jubilant Ruiz to the neutral corner.
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Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in pictures Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr Joshua had to use the ropes to get back to his feet.
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Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in pictures Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr Griffin's count continued as Joshua tried to recover.
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Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in pictures Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr Joshua did not respond to the referee's commands, leading to the fight being waved off.
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Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in pictures Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr Griffin waved it off as Joshua did not walk out to him when ordered to.
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Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in pictures Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr Joshua reflects on his first defeat of his career.
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Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in pictures Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr Eddie Hearn confirmed they will seek a rematch for Anthony Joshua against Andy Ruiz Jr
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Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in pictures Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr Ruiz was delighted with the victory as he jumped in the middle of the ring.
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Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in pictures Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr Ruiz celebrates with his team.
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Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in pictures Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr Ruiz became the first Mexican heavyweight world champion
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Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in pictures Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr The A-listers at ringside could barely believe what had happened.
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Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in pictures Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr But Ruiz had done the unthinkable to become unified heavyweight champion.
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Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in pictures Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr Joshua paid tribute to Ruiz before leaving the ring.
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“He’s put absolutely everything into this camp and couldn’t have tried any harder.”
Joshua and Ruiz will fight in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia on December 7 in a bout dubbed the “Clash on the Dunes”.
Kubrat Pulev is expected to fight the victor for the IBF heavyweight title for which he is a mandatory challenger.
Hearn believes Joshua deserves credit for his attitude towards an immediate rematch and is exoecting an even fight.
“This isn’t a guy shirking a challenge. It’s not a guy asking for an easy warm-up fight.
“Time and time again, he has gone in at the deep end before his time, he’s doing it again. A warm-up fight is not in Anthony Joshua’s vocabulary.
“Creating a legacy has been the motivation and I believe he will win and when he does, it will be sweet. It’s tough though, it’s a 50/50 fight, he has to overcome that mental warfare of being stopped by Ruiz Jr last time out.”
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