By Alex McCarthy

While it seems a forgone conclusion that Anthony Joshua and Andy Ruiz Jr will do battle again before the end of 2019, where is the question.

The first bout took place at Madison Square Garden in New York and it was supposed to be AJ’s big coming-out party in the States.

Ruiz Jr had other plans, though. The Mexican-American stunned AJ to capture the IBF, IBO, WBA (super) and WBO heavyweight titles with a stoppage in the seventh round.

One would think the champion has a big say in where the rematch will go down, but seeing as this is an obligatory rematch inserted into the contract for the first fight, it seems like Matchroom have the biggest say.

Matchroom Boxing kingpin Eddie Hearn has suggested that Cardiff was the favourite to host the bout and Joshua backed up that idea on Sky Sports today.

According to World Boxing News, Saudi Arabia has emerged as a frontrunner to host the fight and a deal could be completed by the end of this week.

Saudi Arabia paid Amir Khan a handsome £7 million to fight Billy Dib and having a huge heavyweight title clash there would surely be worth eight-figure paydays for both men.

AJ has admitted the fight may need to happen on neutral ground, but could both parties resist this kind of money?

Article courtesy of Talk Sport

Photo courtesy of Ed Mulholland/ Matchroom Boxing