Unified WBO Heavyweight Championship: Andy Ruiz, Anthony Joshua – Face To Face in Saudi Arabia

Unified WBO Heavyweight Champion Andy Ruiz Jr. and Anthony Joshua began the promotional tour for their world heavyweight title rematch for December 7 in Saudi Arabia with a news conference in Diriyah that turned out in part to be a PR exercise for the kingdom.

Joshua, who lost his belts in a surprising loss to Ruiz Jr. in New York in June, said it was a ”blessing to be in Saudi Arabia” and that he never thought he would fight outside his native Britain or the United States.

🗣 “I’ll win in the same fashion!” – @Andy_destroyer1 💥#ClashOnTheDunes #RuizJoshua2 pic.twitter.com/bausuWZB6O

— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) September 4, 2019

🗣 “Andy is Champion right now… That lasts until December 7” – @anthonyfjoshua 👀#ClashOnTheDunes #RuizJoshua2 pic.twitter.com/e4ok0VNfyG

— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) September 4, 2019

The two boxers smiled at each other as they faced off for cameras.

FACE OFF 👀 @Andy_destroyer1 vs @anthonyfjoshua 2 🔥 #ClashOnTheDunes #RuizJoshua2 pic.twitter.com/il6trQdtHZ

— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) September 4, 2019

Further news conferences are planned in New York on Thursday and London on Friday.

This will be the first heavyweight world title fight held in the Middle East.

Via BoxingScene.com / Photos via Matchroom Boxing