Thuds echo around the arena as it turns briefly into a slinging war. Joshua wraps an arm around Ruiz and pulls him in close to get a breather.

Ruiz winds a wild left and is caught by a Joshua right-hander. AJ stares down his opponent as the bell calls time on the seventh.

Andy Ruiz Jr is getting a talking to from the referee, he's had a couple of sly digs to the back of Joshua's head.

Ruiz wheels a gold glove in the direction of AJ, but is rebuffed once more - a meaty right comes thundering into Joshua's guard but he responds with a low right of his own.

This is where it all ended for Joshua last time out...

He's looking far more in control this time around in Saudi Arabia.

Ruiz fizzes a left into the gut of the Watford fighter but it barely fazes Joshua.

Steve Bunce
BBC Radio 5 Live boxing pundit at Diriyah Arena

That might have been Joshua's best round. He led with shots he hadn't led with before. He has slowed his feet down but he is moving more sensibly.

Ruiz has now got to do something, he has to grab this fight by the scruff of the neck.

Bishop Yinkus: Nice connections from AJ and the jab is working perfectly.

Sean Voyle: Rowdy in Saudi.

Philip Gilbanks: The shake down in Sheik town has a certain ring to it.

Image source, Getty Images

Smart jab from Joshua, rocking Ruiz and almost getting a nod of appreciation from the champion - Ruiz throws a combo with 30 seconds remaining in round six and then comes down on top of Joshua after pulling the challenger towards him.

A fight back from Andy Ruiz Jr, he fires in a left hook to the body of the Brit. But Joshua rolls with it, stabbing a left glove into the stomach of the champion.

Ruiz slows somewhat as Joshua continues to bound around, circling the ropes and dusting off a right from Ruiz that catches his body.

Mike Costello
BBC Sport boxing correspondent on Radio 5 Live

AJ is growing in confidence but he cannot afford to get anywhere near complacent, like he did in New York when he made those mistakes six months ago.

Image source, Getty Images

Ruiz has his eye tended to once more. It's looking puffy as he returns to the middle of the canvas. Joshua stings in a left and it sizzles just over the top of his diminutive opponent.

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

That is a great response by AJ. He boxed very clever on the outside. His feet are slowing ever so slightly and that is going to bring Ruiz into it.

He has to concentrate with his jab because it keeps Ruiz off balance and he cannot then come forward.

Chris Painter: This is not a night to let things go to the judges. Come on AJ! Finish things inside the distance and take the lottery out!

Rhys Ash Powell: The Rumble in the Jungle. The Thrilla in Manila. The Brawl in Montreal. The Clash on the Dunes... I’d give that a ‘can do better’.

Matthew Hadley: "Rumble in Riyadh" is rubbish.. How about "The Dust-up in the Desert" ??

Image source, Getty Images

There's blood seeping from that early cut on Andy Ruiz Jr's eye again.

Anthony Joshua bides his time as he circles the champion, forcing Ruiz to swivel and he's struggling to unload in this round.

A smart right from Joshua finds it way through, followed by a left to the chin.

Looks like he's shaken that off, AJ. But it certainly rocked him.

Ruiz senses something and comes skipping towards his opponent again, lightning hands from the champion. Joshua watches each one and rocks side to side to avoid each jab.

Andy McNamara: Lennox Lewis-like from Joshua with this jab. Expecting Joshua to wear him down for the later rounds.

Gavin James Nathan: C'mon AJ...jab jab jab. Keep it going

Image source, Getty Images

Steve Bunce
BBC Radio 5 Live boxing pundit at Diriyah Arena

He missed with two right hands and got lucky not to get caught with the counters. He got a bit greedy with a few seconds to go and he got half caught. He must not panic.

A flurry of jabs from Andy Ruiz Jr, but Anthony Joshua seems to ride it well - he counters with a punchy right, and then another, before offloading with a third right and then a fiery left.

Ruiz sweeps a right of his own around the defence of Joshua and then catches the challenger on the back of his head as Joshua backs up towards the ropes.

AJ is constantly on the move, but Ruiz offloads a combination as he tries to pull Joshua towards him - the Mexican magnet. Joshua strides away, nonchalantly flicking a glove towards the Mexican before firing a bullet-like right that skims past the champion.

Ruiz is determined to bounce out on the offence at every bell, but Joshua is yet to get drawn in - he sizes up an uppercut but is wrapped up into the body of Ruiz.

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

It is sensible boxing from Joshua. He is staying at range and Ruiz knows he is being out boxed so he is coming forward a bit more.

Anthony Joshua hooks a left into the body of Ruiz to finish the round strongly.

He's looking composed, despite the cut.