Andy Ruiz Jr is set to step into the ring against Anthony Joshua on 1st June 2019, according to reports.
The June fight was initially scheduled to see AJ go up against Jarrell Miller, but Miller was recently ruled out of participating in the match-up after failing a drugs test a few weeks ago.
With Ruiz stepping into replace Miller, Eddie Hearn released a statement to confirm a deal had been agreed between AJ and the Mexican-American heavyweight, but a few terms are yet to be “ironed out” within the contract.
Speaking to Fight Hype, Hearn said: “I like Andy Ruiz, I wanted someone who’s not taking just the payday, who believes he can win, who will do everything to win.
“All you’ve got to do is speak to people in boxing, or people who know boxing, everything I’ve seen on social media is ‘this is a tougher fight than Jarrell Miller’.
“In fact, it’s a similar fight to Jarrell Miller other than Andy has got much quicker hands and punches harder, his reach is a bit smaller but he gets on the inside faster.”
Anthony Joshua and Andy Ruiz Jr are expected to face-off in New York’s Madison Square Garden on June 1.