Unified world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua is set to face American Andy Ruiz Jr in New York on 1 June.
Joshua was due to face Jarrell Miller at Madison Square Garden but the American failed drug tests with Andy Ruizdrafted in to replace him.
29-year-old California-born Ruiz has fought for a world title once before and has reportedly agreed terms facing Joshua for his US debut on Tuesday.
According to uk.sports.yahoo.com, Promoter Eddie Hearn says Ruiz will do anything to become world champion and a credible opponent for Joshua.
“People who know boxing, everything I’ve seen on social media, say this is a tougher fight than Jarrell Miller. Andy’s got quicker hands and punches harder.
“He will entertain you, give it his all. Even if it means getting sensationally knocked out, he will rather do that than not do it.”
Ruiz beat Germany’s Alexander Dimitrenko on 20 April, weighing in at 262lbs, which is 17lbs heavier than Joshua in his last win over Alexander Povetkin in September.
At 6ft, Ruiz is four inches shorter than Joshua and will be at a substantial reach disadvantage.
Ruiz lost to New Zealand’s Joseph Parker, whom Joshua outpointed 15 months later to unify the WBA, IBF and WBO world titles.
On Monday, British heavyweight Dillian Whyte said Ruiz represented “a save-the-show fight”, insisting the challenger would pose no problem for Joshua.
