Andy Ruiz Jr v Anthony Joshua 2: AJ weighs in three stones lighter than Ruiz

The official weigh-in

Anthony Joshua was 10 pounds lighter than that first fight at 237lbs, while Ruiz was unexpectedly 15lbs heavier scaling 283lbs at Friday's official weigh in.

However, Ruiz was wearing a clothes and a huge hat on the scales, so don't rule out a few tricks being played as most people had been impressed with his speed during a public workout just one day earlier.

The betting markets reacted by pushing out Ruiz slightly, with his fight odds drifting from 21-10 to 9-4. It's perceived that the extra weight means that Ruiz will go looking for the knockout, which was cut from 3-1 to 11-4, while the odds for a Ruiz points victory were pushed out from 14-1 to 16-1 and a Joshua win on the scorecards was cut from 4-1 to 7-2.

When and where is the fight?

Andy Ruiz Jr v Anthony Joshua 2 will take place on December 7 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Where can you watch it and how much does it cost?

The fight will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Box Office in the UK. The pay-per-view price has been set at £24.95.

What time will it be on?

Riyadh is three hours ahead of GMT, and promoter Eddie Hearn has said the ring walks will be at 9pm UK time.

What are the fight odds?

4-9 Anthony Joshua
9-4 Andy Ruiz Jr
33-1 draw

Method of victory
Evs Joshua by KO
7-2 Joshua by decision
11-4 Ruiz by KO
16-1 Ruiz by decision

*Best odds available on December 3, 2019

More on the big fight

• Ruiz v Joshua 2: big-fight preview and prediction
• Ruiz v Joshua undercard
• The greatest heavyweight rematches
• Five biggest heavyweight upsets

Tale of the tape

Verdict

Ruiz was a huge 12-1 underdog when he shocked the world by knocking out Joshua in New York in June, but unsurprisingly his odds are far shorter for the rematch.

However, given the comprehensive nature of his victory, there still looks plenty of value in backing Ruiz to retain his heavyweight titles.

Arguably, Joshua didn't win a single round and although he knocked Ruiz down the American got straight back up and floored AJ four times, exposing his fragile jaw and breaking his spirit.

Conspiracy theories have been rife since the stunning upset, but the uncomfortable truth may be that Ruiz is simply a better boxer and his high-pressure style and fast hands are a bad matchup for Joshua.

It should be another toe-to-toe battle and Joshua could come out on top, but it's no certainty.

For exclusive must-have bookmaker offers and free bets search racingpost.com/freebets

Follow us on Twitter

Like us on Facebook RacingPostSport