Anthony Joshua triggers rematch clause in his contract with Ruiz setting up new clash in Nov or Dec

NIGERIAN-born former world heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Oluwafemi Joshua has triggered his rematch clause with Mexican Andy Ruiz Jr to whom he lost his titled last weekend setting up a rematch in either November or December this year.

In an upset that shocked the boxing world, Joshua got knocked to the canvass four times during the course of the fight last Saturday, forcing the referee to end matters in the seventh round.  In a development that completely shook up the heavyweight scene, Joshua lost the World Boxing Association, World Boxing Organisation, International Boxing Organisation and International Boxing Federation titles.

However, the fight's contract had a rematch clause in it compelling Ruiz to another face-off if he won and Joshua's camp have now triggered this. Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn, confirmed that the rematch clause has been activated after meetings with Joshua’s team in New York.

Mr Hearn said: “After meetings with Anthony Joshua, Coach Rob McCracken and the management team in New York, we have today triggered the contracted rematch clause with Ruiz Jr. The fight will take place in November/December at a venue to be confirmed shortly.”

Lennox Lewis, the former world heavyweight champion has already advised  Joshua to get a new trainer as he recovers from the defeat. Already, another all-time great George Foreman, has offered his services, saying he is ready and willing to help Joshua rebuild from his crushing loss.

Foreman said: “He needs someone like me. If he goes back and gets his mind together, he’s gonna even be better but right now, he better learn to box and he better gets a good manager, I’ll do it.

He added that Joshua can come back better now that he has the fear of losing, something he perhaps never had before. In the past, the only setbacks Joshua suffered were being floored by Vladimir Klitschko and before that being badly wobbled by Dillian Whyte.