Andy Ruiz Jr. “has agreed to terms” to face Anthony Joshua

Badlefthook.com

UPDATE: The PBC on FOX Twitter account has confirmed the fight.

3 titles, 1 massive Heavyweight Showdown. Title contender Andy Ruiz Jr. will face IBF, WBA, and WBO Heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua, June 1st at MSG. (via @MikeCoppinger) pic.twitter.com/ci1pRdArMG— FOX Sports: PBC (@PBConFOX) April 29, 2019

Love that IFB title, they’re the best sanctioning body. —Scott

To those of you sick of spoilers after this past weekend’s big releases, you have my apologies.

Earlier today, Barry Hearn announced that the winner of the Anthony Joshua sweepstakes would be announced tomorrow. According to Mike Coppinger, however, somebody spilled the beans. Andy Ruiz Jr. has reportedly gotten the call.

Ruiz Jr. (32-1, 20 KO) was both my top pick and Eddie Hearn’s. “The Destroyer’s” doughy frame and strange flakiness outside the ring belie a genuinely entertaining and effective style. He’s aggressive, skilled, has never been knocked down, and came just shy of claiming heavyweight gold against Joseph Parker in 2016.

Joshua (22-0, 21 KO) should still be a heavy favorite; aside from the edge in preparation time, he’s got four inches of height and eight inches of reach on Ruiz. This iss definitely one of the better replacements for Jarrell Miller they could have gotten, though.

The Madison Square Garden card will also feature a four-belt lightweight unification match between Katie Taylor and Delfine Persoon, plus Kal Yafai’s mandatory super flyweight defense against Norbelto Jimenez.