This archive report was first published on 6 December 2019.
On Saturday, Anthony Joshua will face the biggest test of his boxing career as he attempts to reclaim his world heavyweight crown from Andy Ruiz in a highly anticipated rematch in Saudi Arabia.
Joshua suffered a shock knockout defeat to Ruiz at Madison Square Garden six months ago, but he has been working tirelessly to regain his title.
"I am hungry, determined, and focused," Joshua said in a recent interview, as he prepares to face Ruiz in the rematch.
The stakes are high for Joshua, who would face a long road back to the pinnacle of the heavyweight division if he loses the fight.
However, victory would re-establish his credentials in the division, opening the door to money-spinning fights against WBC champion Deontay Wilder or fellow Briton Tyson Fury.
Joshua has blamed a "lack of experience" for his defeat to Ruiz in June, when he was knocked down four times en route to a seventh-round stoppage.
For the rematch, Joshua has invested heavily in quality sparring partners, hiring boxers of similar stature to Ruiz to prepare for the fast-handed Mexican-American.
"We had to bring in hard, rough sparring partners," Joshua said. "I brought in the toughest and roughest."
The rematch will take place in a purpose-built 15,000-seat arena in Diriyah on the outskirts of the Saudi capital Riyadh.
Saudi Arabia secured the staging rights to the rematch after reportedly offering an astronomical purse to promoters and fighters.
Joshua's take is reported to be around $60 million, while Ruiz is expected to receive $9 million.
Matchroom boss Eddie Hearn believes Saudi Arabia has the potential to rival Las Vegas as a venue for boxing's biggest fights.
"Every boxer and every manager wants to fight here," Hearn told The Guardian newspaper.
However, the decision to stage the fight in Saudi Arabia has left the event mired in controversy, with activists accusing the Saudi rulers of using glitzy concerts and sporting extravaganzas as a tool to try and soften their international image, so-called "sportswashing".
