The rematch between Andy Ruiz, Jr. and Anthony Joshua OBE will stream exclusively on DAZN in the United States on Saturday, Dec. 7. The three-continent press tour kicks off today in the fight’s host city of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, followed by stops in New York on Thursday and London on Friday. (photos by Mark Robinson)

Ruiz (33-1, 22 KOs) shocked the sports world in June when he toppled then-undefeated heavyweight world champion Joshua (22-1, 21 KOs) at Madison Square Garden, spoiling the former titlist’s U.S. debut. Following the biggest heavyweight upset in decades, Joshua triggered an immediate rematch and the two now prepare to meet at a neutral site for this historic fight, which has been dubbed the “Clash on the Dunes.”

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“Their first fight captured the world’s attention and once again illustrated that you never know what will happen when two heavyweight boxers enter a ring,” said Joseph Markowski, DAZN EVP, North America. “Ruiz vs. Joshua II is by far the most-anticipated rematch in recent memory and adds to DAZN’s year-end schedule, which will be the best stretch of boxing that fans have seen in years.”

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Joshua, 29, was scheduled to face Jarrell Miller on June 1 in his U.S. debut, but when Miller failed multiple drug tests ahead of the bout, Ruiz, 29, was brought in as a replacement one month before the fight. Despite handicappers pegging Ruiz as a double-digit underdog, he scored boxing’s most consequential upset in years, which catapulted him as an overnight celebrity. As the first heavyweight champion of Mexican descent, he will look to defend his titles against Joshua and prove that his victory was not a fluke, while Joshua looks to regain his status as the heavyweight division’s kingpin.

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Promoter Eddie Hearn said: “June 1, 2019 was a day that will be forever etched in boxing history. Andy Ruiz caused one of the great boxing upsets of all time when him and Anthony Joshua engaged in an epic battle in front of a sold-out MSG. The noise about the rematch has been deafening: Will it happen? Where will it be? Who will win? Step up the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia who will now host one of the biggest and most iconic boxing events of our generation. Held at a 16,000-person purpose built stadium that will stand within the UNESCO heritage site in Diriyah, ‘Clash on the Dunes’ will follow in the footsteps of the ‘Rumble in the Jungle’ and ‘Thrilla in Manila.’ The whole world will stop to watch this fight and sports fans across America will get the chance to watch it all unfold live on DAZN.”

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