The much-anticipated heavyweight showdown between Anthony Joshua and Andy Ruiz Jr. on December 21 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, is set to be one of the biggest fights in recent history. Not only will it determine the unified heavyweight champion, but it will also have a record-breaking prize pool of $190 million.
The fight, which is being dubbed as the “Clash on the Dunes,” is a rematch of their June 2019 bout in which Ruiz shocked the world by knocking out Joshua in the seventh round. This time, Joshua is determined to reclaim his titles and prove that he is the best heavyweight in the world.
But what has everyone talking is the staggering amount of money on the line. With a total prize pool of $190 million, this fight will have the second-highest purse in boxing history, only behind the 2015 fight between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao which had a purse of $250 million.
The $190 million prize pool will be split between the two fighters, with Joshua taking home the lion’s share of 85%, which comes to a staggering $161.5 million. Ruiz, on the other hand, will receive 15% of the prize pool, which translates to $28.5 million. This is significantly higher than the $10 million he earned in their first fight, showing the magnitude and importance of this rematch.
But where is all this money coming from? It is no secret that Saudi Arabia is investing heavily in sports, and this fight is just another example of their efforts to attract high-profile events to the country. The fight is being promoted by Matchroom Boxing, Joshua’s promoter, and they have secured a reported $40 million site fee from the Saudi government.
This is not the first time Saudi Arabia has hosted a major sporting event, as they recently held the Italian Super Cup between Juventus and Lazio. However, this will be their first foray into the world of boxing, making it a historic moment for the country. And with the huge amount of money being poured into the event, it is safe to say that they are making a statement in the sports world.
But it’s not just the fighters who will benefit from this lucrative prize pool. The undercard fighters will also receive a significant share, with Dillian Whyte set to earn $4 million for his fight against Mariusz Wach, and Alexander Povetkin earning $3 million for his fight against Michael Hunter. This is a testament to the importance and magnitude of this event, not just for the main event fighters, but for the entire boxing community.
The attention and buzz surrounding this fight are unprecedented, with fans and experts eagerly waiting to see if Joshua can bounce back and reclaim his titles or if Ruiz will once again shock the world and solidify himself as a top heavyweight. And with the huge amount of money on the line, both fighters will be highly motivated to put on a show and emerge victorious.
In conclusion, the $190 million prize pool for the heavyweight showdown between Anthony Joshua and Andy Ruiz Jr. is a testament to the significance of this rematch and the growing importance of Saudi Arabia in the world of sports. Not only will it be a historic event for the country, but it will also have a massive impact on the boxing community. With such a high-stakes and high-profile fight, it is safe to say that all eyes will be on Riyadh on December 21, making it a must-watch event for all sports fans.
