DAZN reportedly pushing for Andy Ruiz-Anthony Joshua rematch in New York
DAZN is pushing for the Andy Ruiz Jr.-Anthony Joshua rematch to take place in New York, just like the first fight, according to a report.
DAZN, a standalone subscription channel specializing in combat sports, aired Saturday’s fight between Ruiz and Joshua that saw a major upset as Joshua lost via seventh-round TKO in a stunner at Madison Square Garden.
The fight marked Joshua’s first in the U.S. as the British fighter’s previous 22 fights all took place in the U.K.
Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, said after the fight that he expected a rematch to take place in November or December, probably in the U.K., but DAZN officials met with Joshua this week to discuss having the rematch in New York, according to boxing reporter Chris Mannix.
Joshua has built a large following in the U.K., but his debut in the U.S. saw him get knocked down four times. Successfully breaking through in the United States is vital to being universally respected in the boxing world. Returning to the U.K., where he has the fan support, would be more comfortable but a signal to fans that he had to retreat and couldn’t handle the big stage.
DAZN knows that and wants him to prove to U.S. fans that he’s not scared and he is capable winning in the U.S.. It’s better for the sport overall for Joshua to win in New York rather than return to his bubble in the U.K.
From Ricky Hatton to Prince Naseem Hamed, boxing is full of fighters who got hyped up in the U.K. and failed to deliver in the U.S. DAZN doesn’t want Joshua to fall in the same group. Joshua and Hearn shouldn’t want that either.
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