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Mike Tyson Predicts Andy Ruiz Jr Will Beat Anthony Joshua In Rematch

Mike Tyson Predicts Andy Ruiz Jr Will Beat Anthony Joshua In Rematch

The former heavyweight champion of the world thinks that the Mexican will keep hold of the titles rather than hand them back to AJ.

Ryan Sidle

Ryan Sidle

Anthony Joshua and Andy Ruiz Jr are yet to agree where their world heavyweight title rematch will take place but wherever it is former champ Mike Tyson is backing the Mexican to win again.

Andy Ruiz Jr shocked everyone, most of all Anthony Joshua, when he beat the previously undefeated Brit on June 1st, and, even though he'd be the outsider again in a rematch, heavyweight legend Mike Tyson thinks it will be the same outcome when they do meet again.

Speaking about Ruiz to ESPN Deportes the 53-year-old said, "[Andy] came the other day, we talked. His energy is wonderful, he is a beautiful person.

"If he did it once, he can do it again."

AJ had a rematch clause in the contract from the original fight, which is handy considering he had to hand over his WBA (Super), IBF, WBO and IBO titles to the Mexican, but over two months later there is still no confirmation of the second installment.

Last week Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn, who represents Joshua, claimed the fight wouldn't be back on American soil, telling Sky Sports, "Contractually we know our position, but we want to make sure we get the fight done. We want to respect Andy Ruiz, but we'll decide where the venue is.

"A neutral venue, he would be a lot happier with. I think I can rule out America, right now. Cardiff is still the frontrunner, it's still the favourite."

But the champion suggested he wanted the fight closer to home, saying, "AJ says he can 'whoop' me in Tijuana; prove it, let's run it in Mexico. Remember that you did have a huge reason to come to America and that was to build your profile."

Holding the second fight in Mexico could be huge with Ruiz becoming the first ever heavyweight champion from the country that is so synonymous with boxing greats.

One reason the champ is wary of coming to the UK for the fight is because of Dillian Whyte's recent failed drugs test, before his fight against Oscar Rivas, with Rivas not informed of the result before the fight.

Joshua had been expected to keep his undefeated run going, especially with the Mexican being a late replacement for Jarrell Miller, but Ruiz knocked him down four times on the way to a seventh round stoppage.

Ruiz knocks down Joshua. Image: PA Images
Ruiz knocks down Joshua. Image: PA Images

AJ's loss has delayed any potential title unification fight with Deontay Wilder, with the American set for his own rematch against Tyson Fury at the beginning of next year.

Can Joshua reclaim his titles?

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Topics: Heavyweight boxing, Mike Tyson, Tyson Fury, Boxing News, Andy Ruiz Jr, Andy Ruiz, Anthony Joshua, Dillian Whyte, Heavyweight division, Deontay Wilder

Ryan is a writer for SPORTbible. He covers all sport from football, formula one, cricket, rugby, tennis, athletics, mma and wrestling. He obviously hates YOUR football team and has no interest in synchronised swimming.

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