Anthony Joshua v Andy Ruiz prediction, date, venue, time, odds & where to watch

Where and when is the fight?

Anthony Joshua is making his American debut against Andy Ruiz Jr at New York's world famous boxing venue Madison Square Garden. It's on Saturday June 1, or early Sunday if you are in the UK, with the fighters likely to enter the ring at around 4am.

Where can you watch it?

It's pay-per-view. Sky Sports Box Office in the UK - otherwise DAZN.

What are the odds?

Winner: 1-20 Joshua, 12-1 Ruiz 40-1 draw.

Method of victory: 2-9 Joshua by KO, 5-1 Joshua on points, 33-1 Ruiz Jr on points, 25-1 Ruiz Jr by KO.

*Best odds available on May 31, 2019

What titles are on the line?

Joshua’s IBF, WBA (Super), WBO and IBO world heavyweight titles are up for grabs. Basically that's all of them except the WBC belt, which is around the waist of Deontay Wilder.

Who is Andy Ruiz Jr?

Ruiz was drafted in as a replacement after Jarrell Miller failed a drugs test and Luis Ortiz failed to agree terms, while Wilder and Tyson Fury are tied up with other fights on rival TV networks.

Compared to AJ he's fat - around 18 and a half stones - but that doesn't mean he lacks stamina, as fans of UFC tank Roy Nelson will testify. However a much bigger problem is that he is four inches shorter, concedes eight inches of reach and lacks big-fight experience.

Cheerleaders point to Ruiz's fast hand speed and he throws a high volume of punches. And he's Mexican, so he will come forward swinging.

He's lost only once, via a majority decision to Joseph Parker, so it's fair to say they they are about the same level. Joshua beat Parker on points in a pretty boring fight in which he was rarely troubled. This should be more exciting.

What are the fighter records?

Anthony Joshua

Fights: 22
Won: 22 (20 KOs)
Lost: 0

Age: 29
Height: 6ft 6in
Reach: 82in
Stance: Orthodox
Weight in last fight: 245lbs

Andy Ruiz Jr

Fights: 33
Won: 32 (21 KOs)
Lost: 1 (0 KOs)
KO ratio: 64%

Age: 29
Height: 6ft 2in
Reach: 74in
Stance: Orthodox
Weight in last fight: 262lbs

Prediction

WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder laid down a marker on May 18 with a stunning first-round KO of Dominic Breazeale - it took Joshua seven rounds to stop the two years ago.

Wilder will be ringside, and AJ will be determined to prove a point of his own on his US debut.

Ruiz is not on his level, and he could be overwhelmed. It would be a surprise if he makes it past the middle rounds.

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