Promoter Eddie Hearn ruled out the possibility of a rematch between WBA, IBF and WBO champion Andy Ruiz and former U.S. title holder Anthony Joshua, announced today by Ruiz. According to Hearn, an American can’t influence the place and other conditions of the battle, although he is now the champion.
“The contract for a rematch was signed before the first fight,” Hearn explained in an interview with Sky Sports, commenting on Ruiz’s statement. – There is no other contract. Our responsibility is to notify Ruiz of the time, date and place of the match. We did it. That’s all. The contract obliges them to hold a rematch. There were no conversations between our teams that the battle might not take place. I don’t see any problem. ”
“Any delay – and Ruiz will lose titles that he is unlikely to like,” added Hearn. – He has a choice: to start a lawsuit, which can exclude him from boxing for many years, or to defend his belts against an opponent whom he has already won, and get a lot of money for it. I have no doubt that he will prefer to fight ”.
Recall that Andy Ruiz, communicating with fans during a live broadcast on Instagram, said that he was not satisfied with Saudi Arabia as a venue for the fight, and the rematch should take place on his terms, and he wants to hold it in the United States.