Boxing enthusiasts may be aware of the controversy surrounding the announcements that Andy Ruiz Jr and Anthony Joshua rematch is to take place on the 7th December 2019 in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia.
Andy Ruiz Jr, who was considered an underdog, shocked the boxing world when he knocked out AJ to claim the WBA, IBF and WBO belts on 1 June 2019. AJ quickly activated his rematch clause and is determined to secure revenge.
Since then, the match organisers are on a mission to secure a venue for the event.
The quest for a rematch venue was first muted in early June with Andy Ruiz Jr joking he wants $50 million if the event were to take place in the UK. His team would later reveal that the new unified champion doesn’t really want a rematch to take place in the UK.
And on 6th June, several news outlets reported that the rematch was being planned to take place in Madison Square, New York City, the original venue where the boxing upset took place.
But that venue did not pan out as fans were soon to find out.
Then on 12 August, it was announced that the parties have agreed to have the match in Saudi Arabia, a neutral ground. Well, at least, AJ’s team seems to think so, and AJ quickly shared the news on his social accounts.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B083sTwlZ8p/
Many were, of course, surprised by the choice of Saudi Arabia as a venue for the high profile match. And amidst insinuations that AJ agreed on Saudia Arabia because of the money, his promoter, Eddie Hearn, disagrees tellings Sky Sports:
“I don’t think Anthony Joshua needs to cash out. I think he’s doing alright. In terms of the risk, there is a greater risk for him in this fight, doing it in a neutral venue, than over in the UK.”
But Andy Ruiz Jr’s camp isn’t on board the idea as the Mexican fighter reveals during a question and answer session on social media on the 14th of August.
When asked whether he will take a rematch, the Mexican boxer agrees but says the match will be on his terms.
“Of course, but it’s gonna be on my terms and our terms, we’re gonna bring it back here in the United States,” says he, adding:
“He’s scared? Yeah, why do you think he’s over there trying to make the fight over there in Saudi Arabia?
“Like I said, I don’t have no protection over there, United States of America wants… never mind I can’t say nothing,” implying that the US government is against having the rematch in Saudi Arabia.
Meanwhile, Amnesty International has already slammed AJ’s camp for the rematch deal with Saudi Arabia, with the US Department of State advising its citizens to ‘exercise increased caution’ when travelling to the region.
Also, Eddie Hearn has also been branded as an idiot for making the announcement for the Saudi Arabia rematch prior to committing Andy Ruiz to a contract.
Who knew getting a venue for a boxing rematch would prove to be this controversial? Anyway, we’re sure things will work out alright for as Andy Ruiz says: “But the fight is gonna happen soon.” It’sonly a matter of time.
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