Negotiations are said to be underway between IBF/WBA/WBO heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua (22-0, 21 KOs) and Andy Ruiz Jr. (32-1, 21 KOs) for June 1 on DAZN and Sky Sports Box Office at Madison Square Garcia in New York.
Ruiz, #15 IBF, would be the replacement for American Jarrell “Big Baby” Miller, a fight that was popped on three consecutive VADA conducted drug tests. The New York State Athletic Commission had a hearing to decide Miller’s case, and they rejected him for a boxing license.
Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn has moved quickly to find a replacement. Hearn wanted to find an American to replace Miller, and Ruiz fits the bill. He’s perfect. Ruiz is a big upgrade from Miller. Hearn had wanted Luis Ortiz to take the fight with Joshua.
Last Saturday night, Ruiz Jr. destroyed 6’7″ journeyman Alexander Dimitrenko (41-5, 26 KOs) by a fifth round knockout on the undercard of Danny Garcia vs. Adrian Granados on Premier Boxing Champions on Fox at the Dignity Health Sports Park, Carson, in California.
The Imperial, California native Ruiz has one loss on his record from a controversial 12 round majority decision to Joseph Parker in a fight for the vacant World Boxing Organization heavyweight title in December 2016 in Auckland, New Zealand.