British-Nigerian boxer Anthony Joshua, 29, recently suffered one of the most unexpected defeats in boxing history and he is keen on redeeming himself.
Last Saturday in an unexpected turn of events, Andy Ruiz Jr. knocked the Heavyweight Champion down a total of four times forcing the referee to stop the bout in the seventh round.
After the fight, Joshua made it clear that he intended to exercise his right to an immediate rematch and on Tuesday, his camp made it official. Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, shared the news on Twitter confirming a rematch between Anthony Joshua and his conqueror Andy Ruiz Jr will take place in November or December. He also revealed that a rematch clause was part of the contract for the fight.
“After meetings with AJ, Rob Mc and the management team in NY, we have today triggered the contracted rematch clause with Andy Ruiz Jnr.
“The fight will take place in Nov/Dec at a venue to be confirmed shortly.”
In a post-fight news conference, Joshua was asked about potential fights with WBC world champion Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury.
“I still want to compete with those men but a rematch with Andy Ruiz Jr is where we are at,” he says. “I’m still a champ and I will rectify it to get the belts back.”
Ruiz, also 29, took the fight at short notice after Joshua’s original opponent Jarrell Miller failed drug tests.
The new champion, who was born in the United States but fights under the Mexican flag, has previously said he will take a rematch at any time.
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