Andy Ruiz Jr 'agrees terms' to fight Anthony Joshua on June 1
Anthony Joshua is set to face Andy Ruiz Jr. after the American heavyweight was drafted in to replace Jarrell Miller for the June 1 bout in New York.
Ruiz steps in to face the unified World Heavyweight champion after Miller failed three drug tests in the build up to the Madison Square Garden fight.
The 29-year-old has reportedly agreed terms, with the fight set to be announced on Tuesday.
Promoter Eddie Hearn talked up Ruiz as a credible opponent for Joshua.
“People who know boxing, everything I’ve seen on social media says this is a tougher fight than Jarrell Miller,” Hearn told Fighthype.com. “Andy’s got quicker hands and punches harder.”
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“I want someone who comes to fight, I don’t want someone who comes in a bit scared, one or two rounds and it’s over,” he added.
"He will entertain you, give it his all. Even if it means getting sensationally knocked out, he will rather do that than not do it.
“It’s not done yet, I’d say terms have been agreed, but there’s a few things that need to be ironed out in the contract.“
Ruiz has an impressive 32-1-0 with his one professional defeat coming in his only World title fight in December 2016.
Fighting Joseph Parker for the vacant WBO title vacated by Tyson Fury, Ruiz lost to the New Zealander by majority decision.
Parker then went on to drop the belt in a points loss to Joshua in their fight last spring.
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