Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1153841
30 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 11 AUGUST 2019 SPORTS BOXING Rematch in Saudi Arabia on 7 December BRITAIN'S Anthony Joshua will face unified world heavyweight champion Andy Ruiz Jr in their rematch in Saudi Arabia on 7 December. The pair fought in New York in June, with Ruiz earning a shock seventh-round stoppage victory to hand Joshua his first profes- sional loss. Ruiz, who was knocked down in the third round before recov- ering, picked up the WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO world titles. Cardiff's Principality Stadium had been among the options to host the rematch. Joshua, 29, had said his prefer- ence was to fight in the Welsh capital, where he has previously fought in front of crowds of more than 70,000 people for his wins over Carlos Takam and Jo- seph Parker. However, 29-year-old Ruiz, who was born in the United States but has Mexican heritage, had ruled out a fight taking place in the United Kingdom. Saudi choice questioned Human rights campaigners have questioned the choice of venue, citing Saudi Arabia's "abysmal" human rights re- cord. Amnesty International said Joshua should learn about con- ditions in the country and "be prepared to speak out" on the issue. Amnesty UK's head of cam- paigns Felix Jakens said the heavyweight contest was "likely to be yet another opportunity for the Saudi authorities to try to 'sportswash' their severely tarnished image". Saudi Arabia hosted Brit- ish boxer Amir Khan's recent win over Billy Dib and Callum Smith's success over George Groves in the World Boxing Super Series final in Septem- ber. The country that also hosted the opening race of the Formula E season in December, is in talks to host a Formula 1 race before 2021 and recently announced it will stage the richest race in horse racing history in Febru- ary. "Despite some long-overdue reforms on women's rights, Saudi Arabia is currently in the grip of a sweeping hu- man rights crackdown - with women's rights activists, law- yers and members of the Shia minority community all being targeted," Jakens added. "There's been no justice over the gruesome murder of Jamal Khashoggi, and the Saudi-led military coalition in Yemen is carrying out indiscriminate at- tacks on homes, hospitals and market-places with horrific consequences for Yemeni civil- ians. "As with other sporting stars going to Saudi Arabia, we'd call on Joshua to inform himself of the human rights situation and be prepared to speak out about Saudi Arabia's abysmal human rights record." Anthony Joshua was beaten for the first time in 23 professional bouts when Andy Ruiz Jr gained a shock win in June Anthony Joshua v Andy Ruiz Jr