Mexico’s heavyweight champion produced a deafening silence after Joshua and his promoter Eddie Hearn revealed the second fight’s location, but has now declared that he has no intention of going to the Middle East.
While answering questions on a social media live stream, Ruiz said: “I know everybody’s talking about the fight and all that, but we got real news coming soon.
“But the fight is gonna happen soon.
“Has AJ got the rematch? Yes, he do got the rematch.
“You taking that rematch, champ? Of course, but it’s gonna be on my terms and our terms, we’re gonna bring it back here in the United States.”
Ruiz continued: “He’s scared? Yeah, why do you think he’s over there trying to make the fight over there in Saudi Arabia?
“Like I said, I don’t have no protection over there, United States of America wants… never mind I can’t say nothing.
“But the fight is gonna happen soon.”