Eddie Hearn has revealed he had the choice whether to go with Andy Ruiz or Trevor Bryan to replace Jarrell Miller for Anthony Joshua’s debut in America last year.
The unheralded Ruiz Jr would get the nod after Joshua’s original opponent Miller failed multiple drug tests and the Mexican would shock the world by knocking the unified champion out and claiming his world titles.
Joshua’s reputation took a serious beating due to the brutal loss, the first of his career, and the heavyweight’s promoter admitted he wished he had gone with Bryan in the immediate aftermath of the fight at Madison Square Garden. ‘Everyone who knows that fight knows Jarrell Miller failed his drug tests and we brought in an opponent three or four weeks before,’ Hearn told IFL TV. ‘You start thinking to yourself, was it my fault? Should I have not suggested Ruiz. ‘Ultimately Rob (McCracken) and AJ have the final say, but collectively as a team we all approved Andy Ruiz. ‘When we announced Andy Ruiz, we got pelted. And then afterwards it was “oh my God, I can’t believe Hearn chose Andy Ruiz, what was he thinking?” (Metro)