With all the dust seeming to have settled, we’re in full swing for the promotional build-up to Andy Ruiz Jr.’s upcoming rematch with former unified titleholder Anthony Joshua, set for December 7th in Saudi Arabia.
Yesterday both fighters kicked off the real opening press conference which actually had the fighters in attendance, unlike that other presser where Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn just sort of spoke in front of media members.
So with the fighters now in tow, Ruiz spoke publicly about all the criticism he’s been receiving lately for living it up since upsetting Joshua in June, rather than being disciplined and working hard for the rematch.
“A lot of people [are] saying that I’m that I’m not training, that I’m not taking it serious, but come on. I got all these belts. There’s a lot of responsibilities to this. But I’m gonna try my best and God knows I’m gonna keep these belts and have them back in Mexico. Dec. 7, I’m gonna make another history and I’m gonna win here in the same fashion, the same way that I won June 1. And I’m gonna prove everybody wrong.”
For his part, Joshua offered these thoughts:
“I feel I was up against a good challenger at the time. I was only champion until June 1,” Joshua said. “Andy is champion right now, and that will last until Dec. 7 when he has to put his titles in the air and two warriors go to war and the best man will walk out victorious. I’m really looking forward to the challenge, and I’m glad people here are supporting boxing.”
Ruiz and Joshua will continue their three-city press tour today in New York, wrapping up tomorrow in London.