“Stopping isn’t in my DNA” Anthony Joshua returns to the scene of the crime as he comes face-to-face with Ruiz Jr in New York

Three months on from the boxing world turning on it’s head, Andy Ruiz Jr and Anthony Joshua returned to New York to promote their highly anticipated rematch on December 7.

On June 1, Anthony Joshua surrendered his unified heavyweight world titles to challenger Andy Ruiz Jr. And in doing so, the latter became the first heavyweight with Mexican descent to capture world honours.

After a quick stop in Saudi Arabia, the country that will hold the rematch, the two fighters flew straight to New York for their second press conference in as many days. They then travel to London for the third and final meeting on Friday.

All eyes will be on Saudi Arabia as they prepare to host the biggest fight of the year on December 7.

Despite scepticism from the boxing fraternity regarding the event in itself, promoter Eddie Hearn is confident the naysayers will be quickly proven wrong:

“This is the biggest fight of the year. The rematch. The hospitality we received in Saudi Arabia was first class. But the event production, the logistics, took my breath away.

Having been in the sport for 30 years, I realised there is a new force in boxing (Saudi Arabia) and we have to embrace that. On December 7, you will witness an event that you will never forget.

The ‘Rumble in the Jungle’. ‘The Thriller in Manilla’. Trust me when I say this, this event is of the same ilk.

Ruiz, who opted to sport a sombrero in the press conference, believes it will be repeat rather than revenge:

“I made history. AJ wants his belts back. I know how it feels to lose. My job is for him not to win. I have been through so much in my life.

I believe on December 7 it will be the same result. God is on my side and we are going to win.”

?? ??. ??#RuizJoshua2 pic.twitter.com/xooZnZ6Fqm

— DAZN USA (@DAZN_USA) September 5, 2019

With question marks surrounding the British heavyweight and doubts growing about his longevity in the sport, Joshua appeared to be in a focused, straight-talking mood. In the past, many have accused ‘AJ’ of being a cliche and media trained.

But in a packed out room in New York, Joshua was different. This time he extremely bullish and honest; 94 days away from the bout, Anthony Joshua already seems to be locked in.

“There is times that I faced defeat as an amateur – in my third fight. Imagine if I stopped then? There would be no now. I lost in the European quarter-finals. Imagine if I stopped then? There would be no now. I lost in the World Championship finals. Imagine if I stopped then? There would be no now.

Stopping isn’t in my DNA. As long as I have breath in me. I keep on fighting for the passion of boxing. I am born with a fighting spirit. I am certain I have second chance December 7. I am looking forward to reclaiming my belts.”

Both fighters travel to London for the third and final press conference on Friday. It will be the last time the two meet before the jet off to Saudi Arabia and lock horns again.