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Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz: Fight time tonight in the UK plus TV channel info, undercard and latest news

Joshua is set to make his much-anticipated US debut on Saturday night

Adam Hamdani,Ben Burrows

Saturday 01 June 2019 22:45 BST

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Anthony Joshua: Wilder is the fight I really wanted

Anthony Joshua is set to defend WBA, WBO and IBF titles in New York tonight.

Mexican Andy Ruiz is his opponent after the man originally set to face him, Jarrell Miller, failed a drugs test in the run up.

This will be Joshua's first fight on American soil and he'll want to make a good impression in front of the Madison Square Garden crowd.

He's not alone either with Callum Smith and Katie Taylor also defending their own world titles on a stacked undercard.

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the fight.

February top 10 pound-for-pound boxers in the world

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1/16February top 10 pound-for-pound boxers in the world

February top 10 pound-for-pound boxers in the world

Who is the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world?

The ranking of The Independent's 10 best male boxers on the planet. Take a look through to see who comes out on top.

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February top 10 pound-for-pound boxers in the world

On the rise: Anthony Joshua

Joshua recaptured his world heavyweight titles in dominant fashion, but in a new manner for the Briton: boxing beautifully off the back foot. He is now back in the mix, even if he is just behind Wilder and Fury, to be considered the best heavyweight in the world. All three are just on the outside of our list though until they fight each other

AP

February top 10 pound-for-pound boxers in the world

On the rise: Deontay Wilder

Nobody can deny he has a claim as the most powerful puncher pound-for-pound, but despite wiping out Luis Ortiz, the Bronze Bomber needs to beat Tyson Fury clearly to justify a place inside the top 10 here

EPA

February top 10 pound-for-pound boxers in the world

In the mix: Tyson Fury

Like Joshua and Wilder before, with a legitimate case to be the No 1 heavyweight in the world, Fury is just on the outside of our top 10 - if he manages to comprehensively beat Wilder - staying away from that big right hand for the full 12 rounds - he will be the first of the trio to leap back inside the top 10

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February top 10 pound-for-pound boxers in the world

On the rise: Josh Taylor (16-0)

Josh Taylor's win over Regis Prograis to win the WBSS at 140 pounds was a massive statement - he'll need to become the undisputed light welterweight champion by beating Jose Ramirez to make his place inside the top 10 indisputable

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February top 10 pound-for-pound boxers in the world

On the rise: Miguel Berchelt (37-1)

Miguel Berchelt smashed Jose Sosa to pieces inside four rounds to defend his WBC super featherweight title - now 37-1 and undefeated since 2014 with 16 consecutive wins and six straight defences

AFP via Getty Images

February top 10 pound-for-pound boxers in the world

10. Juan Francisco Estrada (39-3-0)

The two-weight world champion grabbed the lineal super flyweight title against Sor Rungvisai to snatch his pound-for-pound status and the WBC gold.

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February top 10 pound-for-pound boxers in the world

9. Mikey Garcia (39-1-0)

Despite coming up short against Errol Spence in their welterweight bout, Garcia is still a modern great as a four-weight world champion.

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February top 10 pound-for-pound boxers in the world

8. Gennady Golovkin (39-1-1)

Despite suffering the first loss of his career against Canelo Alvarez, Golovkin's stellar career keeps him in our rankings. The boxing legend is now a two-time world champion.

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February top 10 pound-for-pound boxers in the world

7. Manny Pacquiao (62-7-2)

The Filipino looked sensational to outpoint Keith Thurman, flooring the American and rolling back the years at 40 years old to confirm himself as the No 3 welterweight in the world at worst. Considering the illustrious names on his resume, a place inside the top 10 pound-for-pound list and a world class win this year confirms his place here.

AP

February top 10 pound-for-pound boxers in the world

6. Errol Spence (26-0-0)

Spence beat Shawn Porter to unify the welterweight division as he goes in search of more belts. Danny Garcia looks set to be next.

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February top 10 pound-for-pound boxers in the world

5. Oleksandr Usyk (17-0-0)

The undisputed, undefeated, unified cruiserweight world champion has successfully moved up in weight, beating Chazz Witherspoon on his heavyweight debut.

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February top 10 pound-for-pound boxers in the world

4. Naoya Inoue (19-0-0)

The man nicknamed the 'monster' beat Nonito Donaire to win the World Boxing Super Series and move to 19-0 after a hard fought battle.

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February top 10 pound-for-pound boxers in the world

3. Terence Crawford (35-0-0)

Another three-weight world champion, Crawford enters our top three and reaffirmed his place as one of the sport's greats after a knockout win against Amir Khan.

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February top 10 pound-for-pound boxers in the world

2. Canelo Alvarez (53-1-2)

One loss and a whole heap of controversy but Canelo's record is one to be celebrated, a now four-weight world champion and still not even 30 years of age. The biggest star in the sport and an impressive KO win of Sergey Kovalev cements his standing, arguably has a claim to the throne, but he just misses out here.

USA TODAY Sports

February top 10 pound-for-pound boxers in the world

1. Vasyl Lomachenko (14-1-0)

There can only be one. The king of the amateur game has stepped up to become the king of the professionals. Just 15 fights into his career and despite one career defeat, the current unified lightweight world champion sets records for days. Loma won a world title in his third fight, became a two-weight champion in his seventh, and a three-weight champion in his twelfth fight. The king. Less magic against a brave Luke Campbell, but more brutality, slashing body shots and exquisite balance and movement. Who's next? Commey, Lopez, Davis?

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When and where is the fight?

If you’re in the UK, it’s in the early hours of Sunday, 2nd June and it takes place at the Mecca of boxing: Madison Square Garden in New York City.

What time will the ring walks be?

The main event ring walks will likely take place around the 4am mark – but as with anything in boxing, it’s subject to change.

Anthony Joshua puts his unbeaten record on the line (PA)

What’s at stake?

Joshua’s IBF, WBA (Super), WBO and IBO world heavyweight titles are on the line in this one. Plenty for Ruiz to gain, nothing for him to lose. It’s also Joshua’s US debut so a breakthrough on the other side of the pond could see him turn into a global superstar.

What are their records?

Joshua: 22 fights, 22 wins, 21 KOs.

Ruiz: 33 fights, 32 wins (21 KOs) and one defeat to Joseph Parker.

What TV channel will it be on?

In the UK it will be on Sky Sports Box Office and on DAZN if you’re elsewhere.

Andy Ruiz Jr stepped in at late notice (Getty)

Are tickets still available?

They are indeed, starting from a hefty $171 and going all the way up to $5,000(!) if you’ve got some cash to splash. You can get them right here.

What is the full fight schedule?

Souleymane Cissoko vs Wladimir Hernandez
Chris Algieri vs Tommy Coyle
Joshua Buatsi vs Marc Antonio Periban
Josh Kelly vs Ray Robinson
Katie Taylor vs Delfine Persoon
Callum Smith vs Hassan N'Dam
Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz

Katie Taylor looks to become undisputed champion in the women’s lightweight division (Getty)

Why isn’t Joshua fighting Miller?

The pair were originally scheduled to fight but Miller, despite accusing Joshua of taking PEDs, was actually taking performance-enhancing drugs himself.

Anthony Joshua talks about Miller's failed drugs test

He failed not one, not two, but three drugs tests (EPO, GW1516 and EPO) and was therefore not allowed to compete by the New York State Athletic Commission.

Prediction

Don’t underestimate Ruiz just because of how he looks. He is a very good fighter with blistering hand speed and if he can put some combinations together, could trouble Joshua. That said, it’s yet to be seen if he can take the sort of power that the Brit possesses. Joshua to win inside six.

Odds

Joshua: 1/25

Ruiz: 10/1

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