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The wait is almost over and the heavyweight fight of the year – barring the first one of course – is almost upon us. Mexican-American, WBA (Super), IBF, WBO and IBO World Heavyweight champion Andy Ruiz Jr takes on the previous title holder, Anthony Joshua in a rematch to be held at the Diriyah Arena in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia on Saturday evening. For information purposes, the fight is expected to take place at around 21:00 GMT.
Ruiz Jr shot to the head of the World Heavyweight top table with a stunning seventh-round stoppage win over Joshua back in June, and the rematch clause after that initial bout was finally agreed, with both fighters travelling to the desert-based venue for an intriguing rematch for so many reasons.
Can Ruiz Jr prove that the first contest was no fluke and repeat his win over the previously unbeaten Joshua, or will the British fighter return to the throne as champion, with his belts retained and invincibility restored?
Joshua was initially expected to fight Jarrell Miller back in the summer, but the American was expelled from challenging for the world belts following three separate failings for performance enhancing drugs. Ruiz stepped into the challenge and provided what is considered as one of the biggest upsets in the history of boxing. So many questions are likely to be answered on Saturday night with regards to the merits of both fighters, and in this betting preview, hopefully we can provide some winning selections on a fight that is likely to be hugely exciting while it lasts.
Date: December 7, 2019
Andy Ruiz Jr
Champion, Andy Ruiz Jr has a professional record of 33 wins from 34 fights, with 22 victories inside the distance. His sole defeat came against Kiwi fighter, Joseph Parker following 12 rounds, with Parker prevailing by a majority decision back in 2016.
Looking through Ruiz Jr’s previous fight record, Joseph Parker has been the Mexican-American’s only real other reputable opponent apart from Joshua at the world level, but his opportunism on the night at Madison Square Garden back in June proved he was the man for the moment. More crucially was that the 30-year old had the hand speed and power to overcome his previously unbeaten opponent, in a victory that shook the world of boxing to its very core.
Anthony Joshua was previously unbeaten in his 22 bouts before his defeat to Ruiz Jr, with 21 wins inside the distance. Only Joseph Parker was able to go the full twelve rounds with the British fighter previously in a career that has seen the likes of Dillian Whyte and Vladimir Klitschko defeated in devastating fashion.
With so much conjecture following the first contest between the pair suggesting that Joshua took Ruiz Jr ‘lightly’ and that he didn’t have the full preparation for the initial bout after previously working towards fighting Miller, there will be no excuses this time around. Joshua has had a full training camp being totally focused on his opponent, and if Joshua is defeated again, then it is virtually certain that a third bout will be a consideration for the current champion.
From the 1/11 that was on offer for Anthony Joshua from bookmakers William Hill for the first contest, the consensus of layers sees them significantly change their opinion on the outcome of the second bout. ‘AJ’ is still the bookmakers’ favourite to win the contest, but at longer odds.
For punters who wish to back Joshua to win the bout, the best price is available at 4/9 with the majority of bookmakers, including William Hill and Coral. Plenty of money has been seen for a repeat performance from Andy Ruiz Jr, and he can be backed at the best industry price of 15/8 with Betway and SportingBet. In the unlikely event that this contest ends in a draw, then the 33/1 on offer with Betfred and SportingBet once again is the top price available.
Anthony Joshua
This market offers some better odds on the outcome of the fight, but you must predict the winner and the correct method of victory, which is a little trickier. However, it does seem plausible that this fight will not go the full twelve rounds, which does tend to clear the murky waters somewhat.
With a combined 43 wins for both fighters inside the distance of the twelve rounds contest on Saturday night, it is unlikely that the bout will be decided via the judges’ scorecards. The price of even money (1/1) is likely to be popular for Joshua backers to win the fight via knockout, technical knockout or disqualification, and that can be taken with VBet. Ruiz Jr to win via the same method can be taken at 11/4 with William Hill.
The alternative method is for either fighter to win the contest via decision or technical decision, which is effectively via the judges’ scorecards after twelve rounds. There has been some significant interest in Joshua to win via this method in recent days, with the top price of the 30-year old Londoner being backed into 7/2 with the likes of Coral and William Hill. A victory for Ruiz Jr via the scorecards can be taken with Betfred and William Hill once again at the big price of 14/1.
This is an interesting market that could prove profitable, with Betway offering 1/3 on either fighter to hit the canvas at any time during the contest. That is a short price, but a very likely outcome with such power in both fighters’ hands. Betway also offer the opposite side of the line of 9/4 on no knockdowns during the contest as an alternative.
William Hill make Ruiz Jr a 4/7 chance to be knocked down, while the 7/4 with Betway is the top price on Joshua being floored. Another interesting bet is with Betfred who offer 9/2 on both fighters to be knocked down during the fight – which would’ve been a winner in the first contest.
Unibet looks to be the best bookmaker to be involved with in this particular market by offering some of the best odds available. A win for Anthony Joshua in Rounds 1-6 can be taken with the pair at 9/4. Alternatively, a win in Rounds 7-12 can be taken at 5/2. The similar options for Ruiz Jr for Rounds 1-6 and 7-12 can be taken at 5/1 and 6/1 respectively with Unibet and 888Sport.
This bout revolves around Anthony Joshua and his tactics for the fight. Will he come out and try and dictate the fight against Ruiz Jr, but potentially leave himself open for the counter punch that cost him the belts last time around? It’s a hugely intriguing contest that could go either way, but I am prepared to pin my colours to the Joshua mast here and take the British fighter to regain his belts by a later-round stoppage.
This brings into play the Joshua win via knockout, technical knockout or disqualification at even money with VBet. The 5/2 on offer with Unibet and 888Sport for Joshua to win in Rounds 7-12 should also be considered for punting purposes. For short-priced backers, the 1/3 on offer with Betway for either fighter to be knocked down is also a cracking bet, even at prohibitive odds.
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