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Will Joshua take a bite out of the Big Apple?

Will Joshua take a bite out of the Big Apple?

Catch the Brit in his first US fight as he takes on Andy Ruiz Jr on Sky Sports Box Office

The champ will put four of his heavyweight belts on the line in a massive night of action from Madison Square Garden

Anthony Joshua v Andy Ruiz Jr, Saturday 1 June, 10pm, Sky Sports Box Office. £19.95 for SD, £20.95 for HD. Booking now open

James Corden might have made it look simple, but cracking the USA is rarely easy. It’s one thing being a big deal in your home country, but winning over an American audience – whatever your discipline – remains a unique challenge.

 

Following his triumph over Alexander Povetkin in September, Anthony Joshua will be aiming to become a smash hit in the States this weekend when puts his IBF, WBA, WBA and IBO heavyweight titles on the line against Andy Ruiz Jr at Madison Square Garden. This fight, which you can watch live on Sky Sports Box Office, marks the first time the undefeated “AJ” has boxed in America, and it’s got the makings of a truly explosive bout.

 

While Ruiz Jr might be an unfamiliar name to the casual fan, it won’t be a walk in Central Park for Joshua when he dukes it out with the Mexican-American. Plus, with a passionate home crowd likely to be cheering on Ruiz Jr, the pressure is on the Brit to deliver the goods across the pond.

 

Want to know more about Saturday’s huge night of boxing from the city that never sleeps? We’ve got all your questions answered, including how to order this epic fight on Sky Sports Box Office…


While Ruiz Jr might be an unfamiliar name to the casual fan, it won’t be a walk in Central Park for Joshua when he dukes it out with the Mexican-American. Plus, with a passionate home crowd likely to be cheering on Ruiz Jr, the pressure is on the Brit to deliver the goods across the pond.

 

Want to know more about Saturday’s huge night of boxing from the city that never sleeps? We’ve got all your questions answered, including how to order this epic fight on Sky Sports Box Office…

 

What’s so significant about this fight?

Alexander Povetkin versus Anthony Joshua


The time is now for Anthony Joshua to really announce himself on the world stage. Yes, he’s the champion. Yes, he’s won all 22 of his professional bouts. And yes, he’s one of the biggest draws in boxing. But making a mark on the American consciousness would send the 29-year-old into a completely different stratosphere in terms of star power. Win this weekend and his name will be on the lips of every boxing enthusiast across the Atlantic. Suffer a shock defeat and Joshua’s carefully curated career will be severely damaged.

 

Wasn’t Joshua meant to be fighting someone else?

Joshua was originally scheduled to take on the undefeated Jarrell Miller, but two failed drugs tests for Miller meant that the American was pulled from the bout. After a brief search to find a suitable replacement, Andy Ruiz Jr was selected as the man to step into the ring for a shot at the champ.

 

What’s the deal with this Ruiz Jr fella?

Alexander Dimitrenko versus Andy Ruiz Jr


The first thing to mention is that the Mexican-American isn’t heading to Madison Square Garden to just make up the numbers. Ruiz Jr has a hugely impressive professional record in the ring, with 32 victories coming off the back of 33 bouts. Nicknamed “The Destroyer”, he’s not been shy in taking a few jabs at Joshua in the build-up, labelling the Brit “a big robot”. Style-wise, expect a devastating combination of power and speed from the 29-year-old, whose only world title shot to date was a defeat on points to Joseph Parker. The general view is that Ruiz Jr will be a more of a challenge for Joshua than Miller would have been.

 

What’s next for Joshua if he wins in NYC?

According to his promoter, Eddie Hearn, there are three possible opponents waiting in the wings: the flamboyant Deontay Wilder, the even more flamboyant Tyson Fury and the not particularly flamboyant (but just as ferocious) Dillian Whyte. Along with the majority of boxing fans, Hearn is hoping a bout with Wilder can be agreed for the end of 2019. A clash between those two juggernauts would be so big it might make Earth collapse in on itself, but getting Wilder to sign on the dotted line is proving tricky. The good news is, the heavyweight division is in rude health, with a host of serious challengers lining up ready to steal Joshua’s crown.

 

Who else is on the card this weekend?

Katie Taylor versus Rose Volante


A veritable feast of boxing’s brightest stars are stepping into the ring in New York, including Ireland’s Katie Taylor. The 32-year-old, who is undefeated in all 13 of her professional fights, will defend her WBA, IBF and WBO lightweight titles against Belgium’s Delfine Persoon. What’s more, Taylor can add to her reputation as one of the best female boxers around by taking the WBC title from the formidable Persoon. Elsewhere, Chris Algieri and Tommy Coyle will square off for the WBO super-lightweight championship, while undefeated American Austin Williams will also be in action.

 

Read on to discover how Anthony Joshua and Andy Ruiz Jr size up ahead of their bout on Sky Sports Box Office.

 

 

How to order

Go to Home > On Demand > Live Events. To view your booking, once purchased, go to On Demand > Live Events.

 

To watch this event in HD you must have a TiVo® box or Virgin TV V6 box, powered by TiVo®.

 

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HD: HD TV set, V HD Box, TiVo box or Virgin TV V6 connected with HDMI cables required for HD channels. Number of inclusive HD channels depends on package.

Sky Sports Box Office: TiVo® box or Virgin TV V6 box is required to watch this event in HD.

This is a live event only and cannot be recorded. Price includes scheduled repeats.

Repeats Sunday 2 June, 9am and 5.30pm