Joshua vows to regain world titles, rules out celebration
- 05 Dec 2019
Anthony Joshua said on Wednesday he will not celebrate if he regains his world heavyweight title, as he faced off with rival Andy Ruiz in a final press conference before their controversial rematch in Saudi Arabia.
Joshua seeks to win back the IBF, WBA and WBO titles that he lost to Ruiz in a shock June defeat in New York in a high-profile duel on Saturday, dubbed “Clash on the Dunes”.
But even if he overcomes Ruiz in the iconic custom-built arena, Joshua says he will have his eyes on the next target.
Joshua said: “When you are world champion, Andy Ruiz Jr. as a respected heavyweight knows, you always have to have a challenger mindset -- I’ve always said this previously when I had the belts around my waist. I’m hungry, determined and focused. I didn’t come to take part; I came to take over.
“The focus has always been there, but I’ve never really had the chance to reflect. European Championships, World Championships, Olympics, British title, World title…boom boom boom. I’m not here to put on a show. I’m just here to win.
“I was asked if it would be a special moment [winning his belts back from Andy] and I said no. Because I know I belong there. I know what I am capable of doing.
“So, when I regain those belts, I’m probably going to keep cool and stay focused, it’s not a time to celebrate.
“It’s time to keep that challenger mindset and move on to the next target so that one-by-one I am picking them off. Ruiz is just my next target on that list.”
The rematch has electrified the boxing world, with comparisons already made with Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier’s epic fight ‘Thrilla in Manilla’, with a custom-built arena and two fighters unwilling to give away their dream.
Joshua added: “This is the Mecca of boxing! I went to the venue, it’s perfectly designed. I went there, I said my prayers and took the time to embrace what’s to come Saturday night.
“I want to walk in with confidence and everyone is there to feel that same type of confidence that I feel and have a great time.”
World Champion Ruiz Jr echoed Joshua’s sentiments, adding that the venue was the perfect place to make history. Ruiz talks a lot about making history once more in Saudi Arabia and vows he will stop Joshua at all costs.
Ruiz said: “It’s been a long three months in the camp, I’ve been training really hard for this moment.
“Just like June 1st when my dreams came true and I made history and I want to remake history Dec.7 here in Saudi Arabia.
“I appreciate everyone, all the supporters I have right here - I was surprised I had so many fans here and felt really blessed about that.
“I’m ready to rock ‘n’ roll. I know AJ’s [Joshua] going to come with a different game plan, I know he’s prepared, and I know he’s motivated.
“I know he’s lost weight and will try to box me around, but it’s just my job to prevent that. I’m ready for whatever comes my way.
“I don’t want to let these beautiful belts go away. All this hard work and dedication, I’ve been doing this since I was six years old and it’s finally paying off.
“There’s no way I am going to let these belts go, I’m going to die trying and I am going to do anything that’s possible to get that victory.
“May the best man win -- I’m ready.”
Commenting on the press conference the Chairman of the General Sports Authority Prince Abdulaziz Bin Turki Al Faisal said of this great and highly anticipated event: “We are only a few days away from the start of the most important sporting event to be hosted by the Kingdom in.
“I have seen great interest in this great fight and in Saudi Arabia. Media are attending the press conference from all over the world.”
Just like media, fans are flocking to Diriyah from all over the world. People from over 65 countries have bought tickets to see the heavyweights go at it from seats of the arena.
The 15,000-seat purpose-built outdoor arena’s construction kicked off on the Oct.7 and used almost 300 tons of steel to cover an area of 10,000 sqm at the center of historic UNESCO heritage site, Diriyah, the birthplace of the first kings of Saudi Arabia.
