World heavyweight boxing champion Andy Ruiz Jr has warned Anthony Joshua that he will "hunt him down" when the pair meet in their highly-anticipated rematch on December 7.
Mexican-American Ruiz produced one of the greatest shocks in boxing when he stopped Joshua in the seventh round of their June 1 bout at Madison Square Garden, claiming the WBA, WBO, and IBF world titles in the process.
Joshua immediately activated the rematch clause in the first fight's contract as the British Olympic gold medallist attempts to win back the belts when the fighters meet in Saudi Arabia in an event titled 'Clash on the Dunes'.
Despite Ruiz's impressive victory in New York City, Joshua is favourite to win the rematch, with the 30-year-old expected to make major changes to the gameplan which saw him come unstuck first time around.
Ruiz, however, is unfazed about the prospect of what Joshua might throw at him and is expecting a similar outcome to the June bout.
"He's going to try to make adjustments. I don't know if he wants to exchange punches, but I'd love for him to do that because I'm the more skilled boxer," Ruiz said in an interview with The Telegraph.
"He'll try to box me round and use his jab. But for how long? How long can he keep me away from hunting him down? That's what we've been working on most of all right now, heading into the fight.
"Fight fans are going to see a lot of fireworks. If he knocks me down, I'm going to get up and knock him down. I know he'll try to do the same if I knock him down. The main thing is to stay focused and disciplined."
Joshua was dropped to the canvas four times in the June bout and Ruiz, who has never been knocked out in his professional career, said that he would look to control the fight and use his speed against his taller opponent.
"I want to impose myself in this fight, but I don't want to overlook him," Ruiz added. "He's still a dangerous fighter. I respect him and all the fighters who risk their lives inside the ring.
"He's going to have some tricks up his sleeve and it's my job to not let that affect me. The main thing is pressure, throw combinations and use my speed."
