Anthony Joshua vs Ruiz Jr II taking place in Saudi Arabia after local chiefs ‘spent almost £83M’ to stage fight

THE DECISION for Anthony Joshua to rematch Andy Ruiz Jr in the Middle East was cemented after Saudi Arabia chiefs paid £83million to stage the fight. AJ faces a career defining night on December 7 when he attempts to win back his unified titles in Diriyah. The surprise, but neutral venue, arrives after Saudi Arabian […]

THE DECISION for Anthony Joshua to rematch Andy Ruiz Jr in the Middle East was cemented after Saudi Arabia chiefs paid £83million to stage the fight.

AJ faces a career defining night on December 7 when he attempts to win back his unified titles in Diriyah.

PA:Press Association

The surprise, but neutral venue, arrives after Saudi Arabian sports entities fronted £83m to stage the highly anticipated clash, The Telegraph report.

Underdog champion Ruiz refused to travel to the UK to rematch Joshua, voicing concerns after Dillian Whyte was cleared to box Oscar Rivas last month despite an “adverse finding” in a pre-fight drug test.

AJ was willing to right the wrong at the scene of the crime and return to New York, having been dropped four times on his US debut before the seventh round stoppage loss at Madison Square Garden.

But according to The Athletic “in excess” of £33m was paid as a site fee for the fight held in Saudi Arabia.

Joshua is thought to have made £18m for the first fight two months ago with 25-1 outsider Ruiz taking £5m after being drafted in to replace drug cheat Jarrell Miller.

But the Middle East showdown in the winter is set to earn AJ a career high payday.

Ruiz, though, will not benefit from the heavily invested rematch, having already signed his guaranteed fixed rematch purse before the first bout.

It is said the champion will earn £9m for the second fight.

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Saudi Arabia has hosted two major boxing shows in the last year involving high-profile British fighters.

Eddie Hearn promoted super-middleweight Callum Smith beat George Groves in the World Boxing Super Series final in September which was hosted in Jeddah.

Only last month Amir Khan trounced Australian Billy Dib at the King Abdullah Sports City arena, with the former world champion making £7m for the four round win.

AP:Associated Press

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