Eddie Hearn has revealed that Anthony Joshua told Andy Ruiz Jr that they will go to war during their first face-off since the shock upset at Madison Square Garden on June 1.
Joshua was knocked down four times before being stopped in the seventh round by Ruiz in New York and is now aiming to win back three of four principal world title belts in their rematch in Saudi Arabia on December 7.
At their press conference in Riyadh on Wednesday, Joshua and Ruiz exchanged words as they faced off for the first time since their fight in New York.
And Hearn has revealed what was said between the pair.
Hearn told FightHype: Ruiz said something like: I know youre going to be ready this time.
And Joshua said: Make sure youre ready, as I said to you at the last press conference, youre only champion until December 7, then all the belts go in the air, and then we go to war.
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And he [Ruiz] said: Ill be ready, god is on my side.
It was very intense and then it was very respectful after.
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Hearn has also said that if Joshua wins back his belts in his rematch against Ruiz, the focus will turn back to a fight with Deontay Wilder next year.
It had a lot more edge than the first press conference because the first press conference had no edge, said Hearn.
I mean he [Joshua] gave him his belts, and Ruiz looked like a competition winner.
Yesterday, Ruiz travelled and behaved like a champion. I think Joshua, whether he admits it or not, wants this challenger mentality in this fight.
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