THE countdown is on for Anthony Joshua's massive rematch with Andy Ruiz Jr TONIGHT.
As well as the huge fight in the desert, there's plenty to look forward to in 2020 as Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder remain on a collision course after the Bronze Bomber's dramatic win against Luis Ortiz.
Meanwhile, Dillian Whyte will face Mariusz Wach on the packed undercard.
One of boxing's greats, Manny Pacquiao, will make his long-awaited return against either Shawn Porterm Danny Garcia or Mikey Garcia.
Follow all the gossip from the world of boxing below…
ANTHONY JOSHUA says defeat against chubby champ Andy Ruiz Jr will be a CATASTROPHE.
The Brit, who could bank up to £60million for the Saudi Arabia showdown, is tonight seeking revenge for his shock KO in June.
Mexican Ruiz Jr weighed in at 20st 3lb yesterday, while lean and mean AJ was just 16st 13lb as he battles to regain his WBA, WBO and IBF world heavyweight titles.
Joshua, 30, said: “It will definitely be catastrophic if I lose — but I’m not even thinking about that.
“It will be big business when I win. As bad as it was when I lost, it will be as great when I win.
“It is a rematch — but I’m still fighting for the heavyweight championship of the world. I’m more than ready.”
AJ's drastic dip in weight has left former super-middleweight king Carl Froch worried, as it is right on the cusp of the limit he wanted to see him at.
The Cobra said on Thursday: “Being lighter will give Joshua more speed.
“But I want to see him around or above 17st, anything below that would worry me.
“I want to see AJ big and strong enough to bully Ruiz out of it.”
ANTHONY JOSHUA is a whopping THREE STONE lighter than Andy Ruiz Jr for his shot at immortality after the Brit hero shed one and the Mexican piled one on.
The Englishman was 17st 9lbs for the original, with the Mexican coming in 19st 2lbs.
But, in Saudi Arabia on Friday afternoon, Watford's slimmed down star was just 16st 13lbs and Ruiz had bulked up to 20st 3lbs.
Joshua said: “He's a big lad isn't he, but it is not about weight, it is about hitting and not getting hit. It's the sweet science.”
The new slim-line Joshua was the lightest he had been since beating Denis Bakhtov way back in 2014.
While Ruiz, who was accompanied by the Rocky theme tune, had piled on almost a stone and a half since his April win over Alexander Dimitrenko.
Eddie Hearn revealed earlier in the week that he believed that Ruiz Jr had tricked fans into thinking he had lost weight.
ANTHONY JOSHUA has ditched the bodybuilding and his iPhone on the orders of Wladimir Klitschko.
AJ beat the heavyweight hero into retirement in a sensationally brutal 2017 Wembley spectacle.
But, since trading brutal blows, they have struck up a firm friendship and coach Rob McCracken has been happy for the Ukraine legend to offer up tips and advice.
One was to lay off the iron pumping and spend more time in the ring.
And the other was to ditch calls home, WhatsApp chats and Instagram posts, during the Saudi Arabia fight week, to make sure he concentrates on Andy Ruiz Jr.
The 30-year-old challenger said: “Klitschko is a G. He does not get enough credit for everything he achieved.
“When I fought him, he called me a CrossFit champion and I was offended but he just knew he was better conditioned from spending more time in the ring than me.
“So this time we spent more time getting comfortable in the ring, moving to my left and right and understanding ring generalship.
“Klitschko also told me to stay off my phone this week and not listen to too many outside influences because my own belief is what is important this week, not what someone is trying to tell you on the outside.”
EXCLUSIVE BY Jack Figg: LOVE ISLAND star Jack Fincham says it is the “perfect time” for him to turn professional after the success of KSI vs Logan Paul.
Fincham, an ex-amateur at Eltham ABC, wants to capitalise on the new wave of social media stars turning to boxing.
Fincham – who already has 26 bouts in the unpaid ranks – thinks now is the time to put his prior ring experience to the test and become the latest celebrity fighter.
He told SunSport: “I think this would be a good time because boxing is going that way where everyone is interested in it.
“With the YouTubers boxing it opens up the sport to people who wouldn't usually watch boxing.
“You’ve got to think, you had Billy Joe Saunders boxing on the undercard, and all these kids who follow the YouTubers they’ve got a massive audience they now know who Billy Joe Saunders is – one of Britain’s best boxers.
“The way boxing’s going, yeah it is the perfect time to get back in there.”
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