Summary

  • Anthony Joshua reclaims WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight world titles

  • Joshua beats Mexican Andy Ruiz Jr by unanimous decision in rematch in Saudi Arabia

  • 'I knew I'd correct my wrongs' says Joshua after avenging defeat in June

  • Briton dominated throughout thanks to composed, tactical performance

  1. Until next time...published at 22:59 Greenwich Mean Time 7 December 2019

    Joshua reclaims world titles

    JoshuaImage source, Reuters

    And so that's it from us on the night Anthony Joshua avenged his shock stoppage by Andy Ruiz Jr in June in New York to reclaim his titles in Saudi Arabia and become a two-time world heavyweight champion of the world.

    We've got all the reaction from AJ, promoter Eddie Hearn and Ruiz Jr below.

    But if that's not enough to satisfy your fix, then have a gander at Luke Reddy's report from Riyadh right here.

    We'll catch you again soon. And who knows, maybe it will be to see if AJ can unify the division?

    Until then...

    JoshuaImage source, Reuters
  2. 'Go to BBC Radio 5 Live's Twitter and comment who I should fight next'published at 22:55 Greenwich Mean Time 7 December 2019

    Joshua reclaims world titles

    BBC Radio 5 Live

    Anthony Joshua added: "I have got a long way to go. It's not about me it's about Britain.We have taken boxing to the world and I'm always here to support grassroots boxing. I don't want to talk too much because I have done that a lot in the past, and a big mouth is not what people respect.

    "Whatever I can do, I will. If that is fighting the other top fighters in the division, then so be it. Go to the BBC Radio 5 Live Twitter and leave your comment on who I should fight next because I'm up for anything."

    Anthony JoshuaImage source, Getty Images
  3. 'If you want to always win at life, do not step in the ring'published at 22:52 Greenwich Mean Time 7 December 2019

    Joshua reclaims world titles

    BBC Radio 5 Live

    More from Anthony Joshua: "This is a purpose-built stadium for a purposeful night. Shout out to the travelling fans. I'm just appreciative of the journey and for the fans that witnessed history. It's about everyone involved and I'm just humbled. I know certain people had doubts but I didn't.

    "Don't ever doubt yourself. Life is a rollercoaster. If you want to win at life every time, do not step in the ring. If you step in here, you are going to win and lose and that is life. As long as you are satisfied with yourself, no one can tell you anything."

  4. 'AJ will be undisputed champion'published at 22:50 Greenwich Mean Time 7 December 2019

    Joshua reclaims world titles

    BBC Radio 5 Live

    More from Eddie Hearn on BBC Radio 5 Live: "He wants to be the undisputed champion, and he will be. I promise you that."

  5. Postpublished at 22:46 Greenwich Mean Time 7 December 2019

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  6. 'He has changed the face of boxing'published at 22:43 Greenwich Mean Time 7 December 2019

    Joshua reclaims world titles

    BBC Radio 5 Live

    Promoter Eddie Hearn on BBC Radio 5 Live: "It's the individual, anyone around him knows he's the nicest bloke you could meet.

    "Madison Square Garden was a humiliation, he went down four times - people wrote him off, said he had no heart, he quit. He went back, brushed himself down and went back to work to prove you all wrong, it was an absolute masterclass, a shut out, a way of boxing people didn't believe he could do.

    "He taught himself to box like that, the discipline was incredible. All the things no one thought he possessed - that's because he's getting better. What heavyweight has resume like him? Give him respect, he has changed the face of boxing. A great individual with a big heart.

    "They wrote him off. I have represented Anthony since he turned pro. He is a very close friend of mine. The strength he has shown is unbelievable. When was the last time we had a role model like this? We should be so proud. An absolute role model for our country."

  7. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 22:43 Greenwich Mean Time 7 December 2019

    #bbcboxing

    Neil Lunniss: Well done AJ, very professional job done. Winner of Wilder vs Fury next please - Journey to undisputed

    Matt Colley: Good stuff by AJ tonight, but it wouldn't have been a story if he hadn't let his guard down (literally) in June. For my money Tyson Fury unifies the division in 2020, he may not have the raw power but he has the reach, smarts and chin to deal with anyone

    Anthony Joshua and Andy ruiz JrImage source, Getty Images
  8. Postpublished at 22:41 Greenwich Mean Time 7 December 2019

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  9. 'Life and boxing go hand in hand'published at 22:39 Greenwich Mean Time 7 December 2019

    Joshua reclaims world titles

    BBC Radio 5 Live

    Anthony Joshua told BBC Radio 5 Live: "I said I didn't want to get too carried away but it is emotional. This is about the public, and about British boxing. They won tonight and we created history by opening the floodgates.

    "To Andy Ruiz and his family and team, love and respect and I want to see him in the ring again because he is very talented. l can box but I like to fight. I'm a warrior at heart, and sometimes when you're used to knocking a man out, it can happen to you.

    "I'm a man that has made mistakes and when I was on losing path in life, I matured and bounced back. After I took my loss I had to mature as a fighter. Life is in boxing and that is why I love it because they go hand in hand. "

  10. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 22:35 Greenwich Mean Time 7 December 2019

    #bbcboxing

    Dr Kevin Pollock: AJ has 3 world title belts. Pretty sure he doesn’t care what Tyson Fury (no belts) or Wilder (1 belt) thinks.

    Jonathan Bentvelzen: AJ losing the first fight might actually have been exactly what he needed if he wants to win against Fury or Wilder. Ruiz gave him back his hunger and hopefully he won't take his future fights lightly.

    Anthony JoshuaImage source, Getty Images
  11. Postpublished at 22:33 Greenwich Mean Time 7 December 2019

    Joshua reclaims world titles

    AJ tells Mike Costello his fans should go on BBC Radio 5 Live Twitter and tell him who to fight next.

    I mean, do you want to argue with the heavyweight champion of the world?

  12. Joshua v Ruiz III?published at 22:31 Greenwich Mean Time 7 December 2019

    Joshua reclaims world titles

    Andy Ruiz Jr says he wants the third fight...

    A somewhat excited Anthony Joshua says he'd do it again.

    anthony Joshua hugs Andy ruiz JrImage source, Getty Images
  13. 'His weight was great and jab was tremendous'published at 22:30 Greenwich Mean Time 7 December 2019

    Joshua reclaims world titles

    BBC Radio 5 Live

    Anthony Joshua's trainer Robert McCracken told BBC Radio 5 Live: "I think he was where I wanted him to be for this fight, he has listened in camp, worked really hard, and I thought he boxed very well against a dangerous fighter.

    "Andy Ruiz is a real danger and he is very quick and heavy-handed. There were a couple times Josh went into mid range and came unstuck but he settled back down in the corner and got back on it. His weight was great and his jab was tremendous."

  14. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 22:28 Greenwich Mean Time 7 December 2019

    #bbcboxing

    Vikram: So that's why AJ lost all that weight - to run a 12 round marathon away from Ruiz.

    Kris Jefferson: Fair play to Ruiz, took some absolute brutal punches on the chin and threw some pretty good ones himself, AJ was just in his game this time round.

    James Holloway: AJ didn’t win the fight by avoiding the fight, he won the fight by totally out boxing Ruiz. He stifled ruiz attack, kept him at bay and avoided that nasty left hook of Ruiz. Great skill, fantastic fight. Well done AJ!

    Anthony Joshua and Andy Ruiz JrImage source, Getty Images
  15. 'What do you want me to do, give up?'published at 22:26 Greenwich Mean Time 7 December 2019

    Joshua reclaims world titles

    More from Anthony Joshua on Sky Sports: "It's all about preparation. One day when I release a book I will talk about my career. It's all about experience - life is a rollercoaster, what do you want me to do, give up? Retire? Come on man."

  16. 'It was his night'published at 22:24 Greenwich Mean Time 7 December 2019

    Joshua reclaims world titles

    Andy Ruiz Jr, speaking to Sky Sports: "It was his night. I didn’t prepare how I should have.

    "I gained too much weight. I don’t want to give excuses, he won. He boxed me around. If we do a third fight you best believe I’m going to get in shape. I’ll be in the best shape of my life.

    "I thought I was going to feel stronger. Next fight I’m going to get more prepared. I tried to train myself for this.

    "I was chasing him too much. I was hesitating too much."

    Anthony Joshua and Andy Ruiz JrImage source, Getty Images
  17. 'Fantastic'published at 22:23 Greenwich Mean Time 7 December 2019

    Joshua reclaims world titles

    Richie Woodhall
    Former world champion at Diriyah Arena for BBC Radio 5 Live

    Andy Ruiz was too heavy and he was too slow on his feet. AJ made the mistakes in the first fight by fighting to his opponent's strengths.

    This time he fought at distance and he carried out the game plan. It was fantastic.

  18. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 22:21 Greenwich Mean Time 7 December 2019

    #bbcboxing

    Eeva Whybrow: Awesome win Anthony Joshua!!!! So deserved. Great revenge!

    Saqub Sheikh: Congratulations to Anthony Joshua on beating Ruiz and regaining the World Heavyweight Titles. It was a tactically astute and professional performance by Joshua who was the clear winner

    Arthur Moore: Lots of chat about how well AJ fought tonight but neither Fury or Wilder will be at all worried by what they saw. World Champ but not the best boxer, back to same old AJ then

    Anthony Joshua and Andy Ruiz JrImage source, Getty Images
  19. 'McCracken should be given credit'published at 22:21 Greenwich Mean Time 7 December 2019

    Joshua reclaims world titles

    Richie Woodhall
    Former world champion at Diriyah Arena for BBC Radio 5 Live

    Robert McCracken should be given a huge amount of credit. He would have sat down with Joshua and told him where he went wrong and how to better himself. Mentally, it is very difficult to hold your concentration for 12 rounds and he boxed wonderfully well.

    He used the jab to score points and measure the distance. He did not throw the right hand willy nilly because he knew he could have walked onto the right hook.

  20. 'I am hungry and humble'published at 22:20 Greenwich Mean Time 7 December 2019

    Joshua reclaims world titles

    More from Joshua: "A man like me don't make no excuses, my boy (Dereck) Chisora said I am ready to win this if I am ready to D.I.E.

    "This is about boxing, I am used to knocking people out, but last time I got hurt, so I gave the man his credit, said I would correct myself again, I respect Andy so much.

    "The sweet science of this sport is about hitting and not getting hit. Never a change in mentality, you know the saying 'stay hungry, stay humble' - I am hungry and I am humble."