Former world title challenger Andy Ruiz Jr. has reportedly agreed to terms to face Anthony Joshua in June.
According to Mike Coppinger, Ruiz appears to be set to face Joshua for the unified WBA "Super," WBO and IBF heavyweight titles on June 1 in Madison Square Garden. The fight will headline the card which will be streamed on DAZN.
BREAKING: Andy Ruiz has agreed to terms to fight heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua on June 1 in N.Y. on DAZN, according to industry sources. Michael Hunter was also under consideration as the replacement opponent after Jarrell Miller tested positive for three PEDs
— Mike Coppinger (@MikeCoppinger) April 29, 2019
Ruiz is coming in to replace Jarrell Miller, who tested positive for three banned substances several weeks back, as Joshua's opponent. Miller was denied a license to fight Joshua and so Matchroom Boxing scrambled to find an opponent. Among the names of fighters that were under consideration, former cruiserweight title challenger Michael Hunter was also one of the front-runners to land the fight. Hunter recently signed with Matchroom Boxing and has won his last four fights, all at heavyweight.
The 29-year-old Ruiz unsuccessfully challenged for the WBO heavyweight title in 2016, but lost a majority decision to Joseph Parker. Ruiz would go on to not fight for the following 15 months and returned last year when he knocked out Devin Vargas. Ruiz is currently on a three-fight win streak and last fought on April 20 when he stopped Alexander Dimitrenko.
