CONFIRMED: Joshua to defend heavyweight titles on US debut

Anthony Joshua, world heavyweight champion, will take on Andy Ruiz Jr on June 1 in New York.

The WBA, WBO and IBF heavyweight champion was due to face off against Jarrell Miller before the American failed three drugs test.

Joshua continued his preparations for the fight in Sheffield despite Miller’s failed tests.

On June 1 @thegarden in NYC @anthonyfjoshua will defend his World Heavyweight Titles against @Andy_destroyer1 live on @DAZN_USA @SkySportsBoxing – AJ will make his U.S debut at the mecca of boxing, Ruiz will have the chance to become Mexico’s first World heavyweight champ 🇬🇧🇺🇸🇲🇽 pic.twitter.com/yofqrcCTsZ

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— Eddie Hearn (@EddieHearn) May 1, 2019

Joshua maintained he will be ready for the challenge posed by California-based fighter Ruiz Jr.

“Ruiz Jr is a different kind of challenge but one I embrace,” Joshua said.

“We have worked in the boxing gym week on week and whoever is put in front of me at Madison Square Garden on June 1 will be dispatched in style. The rent will be collected.”

Ruiz Jr is the huge underdog for the bout at Madison Square Garden but he has lost just one of his 33 fights.

The Mexican has vowed to ruin Joshua’s ambitions of becoming the undisputed champion when he challenged Britain’s heavyweight star at Madison Square Garden.

“I think being so tall he fights like a big robot. I think with my style, my speed, my movement, I don’t think he’s fought anybody like me”, Ruiz Jr said.

“It’s going to be a whole different ball game. All the guys that he’s fought, they usually run around from him. I don’t think he’s good going back.

“I’m going to bring the pressure, the speed, and the combinations to him. When I do pull out this win, everything is going to change.

“I’m going to bring the titles back to Mexico, it’s going to mean everything. I’m going to be able to change my whole family’s lives; my life and all my kids’.

“It’s a win-win situation right now, but the main thing is to win the fight and make history. This 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.”