Eddie Hearn on why immediate Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz rematch is a huge risk

Eddie Hearn has admitted Anthony Joshua will be taking a massive risk when he steps back in to the ring for his rematch with Andy Ruiz Jr. 2012 Olympic Gold Medalist and former IBF, WBO, and IBO heavyweight-boxing champion Joshua was knocked out in the seventh round at Madison Square Garden Saturday night by massive betting odds underdog Ruiz Jr. And few days after the match, Joshua activated a rematch clause. Pundits argue AJ would be better off taking another route. “They’re probably right,” Hearn conceded. “But he had a contractual rematch and you do not get many opportunities to become the heavyweight world champion. “Could he or should he have an interim fight, a confidence builder? Yes, maybe, but he is not interested in that and it hasn’t even been discussed. “He says, ‘I should have beaten Andy Ruiz that night. I performed poorly and I lost the fight. So I am going to beat him next time and be a two-time heavyweight world champion. Give me that fight now.’ “That is his instruction. The training team believe they are favourites in that fight, too. It is going to be very difficult but if you are favourite in a fight to win the unified heavyweight world championship you’ve got to be taking it, and that’s where we are at.”

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