Anthony Joshua’s next fight is a repeat of his previous bout, albeit in drastically different surrounds. After being defeated in June by a slightly rotund Mexican-American heavyweight by the name of Andy Ruiz Jr., Joshua is back for another go at the first man to vanquish him in a pro bout – this time in Saudi Arabia.
The fight, denoted by the organisers as the “Clash in the Dunes”, takes place on 7 December 2019 in the Middle Eastern country as a result of Ruiz’s refusal to fight in the UK after a failed drug test by Dillian Whyte.
Joshua’s loss to Ruiz was a huge upset at the time and the Briton will be hoping to set things right at the second time of asking, with the WBA (Super), IBF, WBO and IBO heavyweight titles on the line.
What are the betting odds on Joshua v Ruiz?
Joshua’s a heavy favourite to win among Paddy’s traders, who make him a 3/10 odds-on shot to take the fight, with Ruiz priced at 5/2.
Elsewhere in the betting, Joshua is 8/11 to win by KO/TKO, something he’d done in 21 of his 22 fights prior to the Ruiz defeat. While the prospect of a Joshua points or decision victory is set at a more generous 10/3.
Whatever happens, it looks as if the money-men up on our trading floor don’t fancy the fight going all the way, with “No” in the “Will the Fight go the Distance” market set at 2/7.
As with Anthony fight, it’s gonna be a good one.
Joshua 3/10, Draw 33/1, Ruiz 5/2