RIYADH: Saudi boxing fans got a sneak peek at Anthony Joshua and Andy Ruiz Jr. ahead of the much-anticipated 鈥楥lash On The Dunes鈥� bout at a public training session in Riyadh on Tuesday.
A total of 12 boxers participated in the workouts, giving them a chance to showcase their skills in front of a live audience.
Held in the heart of the Information Technology & Communications Complex (ITCC), a boxing ring was set up for the event. Each boxer had about ten minutes to warm up, show off some jabs, and squeeze in a spot of extra training with their coach before the big day.
Dozens of international and local media flocked to the training session to capture footage and to hear from the boxers as they wrap up preparations for what is thought to be one of the biggest sporting events of the year.
Joshua greeted fans with 鈥淎ssalamu Alaykum鈥� after his workout, telling reporters that he was excited about the turnout and eager to reclaim his belts.
鈥淎ll I鈥檓 doing is going to win. That鈥檚 what I鈥檓 focused on. I鈥檓 not really looking for anything except the win,鈥� he said.
He also said that he didn鈥檛 think that his second fight with Ruiz would be his last.
鈥淚f he鈥檚 dedicated to the game, we鈥檒l definitely see each other a third time down the line as well. This isn鈥檛 going to be the last time I see Andy Ruiz in the ring.
鈥淚 am forever changing, and that鈥檚 what training camp is all about leading up to the clash, I鈥檓 working night and day and to win is what I鈥檓 focused on,鈥� the British fighter added.
American Ruiz Jr. said he had more to show the world after his shock victory against Joshua in June, as well as how happy he was to be back in the Kingdom and looking forward to the rematch.
鈥淚 did not want to show off too much, I just wanted to give out a little glimpse,鈥� said Ruiz of the June fight.
鈥淭his is not going to be my first or my last time. You鈥檙e going to see a lot of Andy Ruiz here in 萝莉视频,鈥� he added.
However, although he said that he was confident that he could win again, he said he did not think of himself as having any particular advantages over Joshua despite having beaten him before.
鈥淚 don鈥檛 want to underestimate any fighter, because I respect every fighter that comes here in this ring. We all risk our lives here to provide for our loved ones.
鈥淚鈥檓 just ready for December 7 to show all the fans a good fight. I鈥檓 just prepared to win, to use all the tools I have.鈥�
Local fighter Zuhayr Al-Qahtani from Jeddah, and known as the Arabian Warrior as well as 萝莉视频鈥檚 first boxer, was cheered on by the locals in the crowd as he got into the ring with his coach.
Al-Qahtani told reporters after his warm-up how happy he was to be included in the upcoming event.
鈥淚 actually met Anthony Joshua after his fifth fight and told him he would one day become a world champion and that I would fight on his undercard, so this is a dream come true,鈥� he said.
Other boxers who participated in the public workout included Britain鈥檚 Dillian Whyte, Russia鈥檚 Alexander Povetkin, and American Eric Molina.
The 鈥淐lash on The Dunes鈥� is part of Diriyah Season, a month-long festival of sports and entertainment, which began with Formula E on Nov. 22 and 23, and will include events such as the Diriyah Tennis Cup and the Diriyah Equestrian Festival. Tickets are available on the event鈥檚 website, as well as links to official streams of the match.