Ruiz-Joshua Rematch Will Have All Neutral Officials, Explains Hearn

Eddie Hearn, promoter for Anthony Joshua, has explained that everything will be “neutral” when the rematch takes place with Andy Ruiz.

The first time around, Joshua travelled to the United States to face Ruiz at Madison Square Garden in New York City on June 1.

Ruiz shocked the sport when he dropped Joshua four times to secure a seventh-round stoppage, and as a result, he walked away with the WBO, WBA, IBF, IBO world heavyweight titles.

Joshua would only go a few days before he exercised the rematch clause.

After some heavy back and forth tension over the location of the rematch, Hearn finalized the second fight for December 7th in the neutral location of Saudi Arabia.

Regarding the officials, Hearn explained that both teams would retain the right to question the appointment of a judge or the referee.

“All that stuff is in the contract,” Hearn told Sky Sports. “Neutral judges, neutral referee. The same kind of set-up as the first fight.

“There will be a representative from the British Boxing Board of Control on the Saudi commission and there will be a representative from Tom Brown Promotions and Ruiz’s team appointed on the commission, as well.

“We’ve been sent a list of judges from the governing bodies that will be selected by the commission. Anyone can object to an appointment of an official, and that can be put forward for change.”

The entire undercard is just about finalized, with several fights already nailed down for the bill.

“We’re working on Kell Brook possibly being on that card,” said Hearn. “Of course Michael Hunter against Alexander Povetkin, a great heavyweight fight will co-main event on that card.

“Scott Quigg against Jono Carroll as well, which is a great fight. [Souleymane] Cissokho against possibly Sam Eggington on that card as well, so putting it all together.”