Anthony Joshua’ lucrative rematch with Andy Ruiz Jr is reportedly in doubt over a money dispute.
The Mexican-American stunned the world by handing the Brit his first professional loss in his USA debut two months ago.
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On Friday, it was announced that a rematch had been scheduled to take place on December 7 in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia after investors stumped up a reported £33million site fee to make the bout happen.
However, reports suggest Ruiz wants more than the £7.5m he initially agreed to.
According to The Athletic, the 29-year-old ‘isn’t expected to sign off on the rematch in Saudi Arabia unless he’s guaranteed a significantly higher purse’.
Before wrangling the WBA, WBO and IBF world titles from Joshua in their Madison Square Garden bout, Ruiz agreed to a rematch clause which means he could take home half of what the challenger does.
Anthony Joshua vs andy ruiz
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The new champion was reluctant to fight in the UK, voicing his concerns after doping allegations were launched at Dillian Whyte after his victory over Oscar Rivas last month.
Meanwhile, Joshua was keen to right the wrongs from the first fight, where Ruiz brutally clobbered him into a seventh-round stoppage.
Despite the defeat, the 29-year-old is thought to have made huge money for the first fight two months ago with 25-1 outsider Ruiz taking £5m after being drafted in to replace drug cheat Jarrell Miller.
If it goes ahead, the Middle East showdown in the winter is set to earn AJ another career high payday.
