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Anthony Joshua will defend his WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight titles against Andy Ruiz Jr on June 1 at Madison Square Garden.<\/p>\nAnthony Joshua will defend his WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight titles against Andy Ruiz Jr on June 1 at Madison Square Garden.<\/p>\n
Joshua had been left in the lurch ahead of his United States bow after it emerged a couple of weeks ago that American foe Jarrell Miller had reportedly failed multiple drug tests.<\/p>\n
The likes of Luis Ortiz and Michael Hunter had been linked with stepping into the breach but it is Ruiz Jr who will fill in as a replacement with a month\u2019s official notice.<\/p>\n
The Californian-born 29-year-old has won 32 of his 33 professional contests, with his only setback a razor-thin majority points defeat to Joshua\u2019s former opponent Joseph Parker in December 2016.<\/p>\n
Ruiz Jr said: \u201cThe chills \u2013 I\u2019m really excited for this fight. There\u2019s nervousness in me, but they\u2019re happy nerves.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is my chance to make history, I want to be one of those greats like (Julio Cesar) Chavez, (Mike) Tyson, (Evander) Holyfield, Lennox Lewis. I want to be in that category.\u201d<\/p>\n
At 6ft 2in, Ruiz Jr will be giving away four inches in height and many more in reach but he is bullish about his prospects of causing a seismic upset.<\/p>\n
Ruiz Jr, who defeated Alexander Dimitrenko on April 20, added: \u201cI think the fight is going toe-to-toe, two guys smashing each other\u2019s faces. I\u2019m going in there to throw combinations like I\u2019ve never done before, to improve my speed.<\/p>\n
\u201cA lot of people underestimated me, and I\u2019m used to that. My whole life people underrated me so I\u2019m just going in there to take all.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not going in there scared and I\u2019m not going in there nervous, I\u2019m going to go in there mad and to take what\u2019s mine.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think being so tall he fights like a big robot. I think with my style, my speed, my movement, I don\u2019t think he\u2019s fought anybody like me. It\u2019s going to be a whole different ball game.<\/p>\n
\u201cAll the guys that he\u2019s fought, they usually run around from him. I don\u2019t think he\u2019s good going back. I\u2019m going to bring the pressure, the speed, and the combinations to him.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen I do pull out this win, everything is going to change. It\u2019s going to mean everything.\u201d<\/p>\n
Joshua \u2013 who has won all 22 of his contests in the paid ranks and all but one inside the distance \u2013 is unfazed by the change in opponent.<\/p>\n
The Briton said: \u201cRuiz is a different kind of challenge but one I embrace.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have worked in the boxing gym week on week and whomever is put in front of me at Madison Square Garden on June 1 will be dispatched in style. The rent will be collected.\u201d<\/p>\n
Joshua\u2019s promoter Eddie Hearn feels Ruiz Jr will present a harder challenge for his charge than Miller.<\/p>\n
Hearn said: \u201cIn my opinion, this is a tougher test than Jarrell Miller. Andy punches harder and is much faster \u2013 this is going to be a war.<\/p>\n
\u201cAndy will meet the best Heavyweight in the world on June head on at the Garden. Do not blink!\u201d<\/p>\n