Eddie Hearn has revealed how Andy Ruiz Jr managed to earn his chance against Anthony Joshua back in June.
The 25/1 underdog shocked the boxing world in Madison Square Garden six months ago, winning the fight with a seventh-round TKO.
Ruiz stepped in at extremely short notice to face Joshua after original opponent Jarrell Miller was found to have failed a drugs test.
And Hearn admits it was a cheeky Instagram message that ensured the Mexican fighter got his world title shot.
“Once the three positive drugs tests came in, we searched for a new opponent," the Matchroom promoter said.
“I wasn’t under any instructions; it was a case of whoever you want.
“Someone sent me a direct message on Instagram: ‘I’m fighting Saturday. Give me this fight, I will fight harder than any of the names you’ve mentioned, I will give you a better fight and I will beat Anthony Joshua’.
“OK, that got my attention. We had a look, we saw him deal with and stop Alexander Dimitrenko on Fox and the discussions continued.
“I’ve found a man who had a burning desire to create history, to create a legacy, and become the first ever Mexican world heavyweight champion.”
Ruiz may have pulled off an almighty upset in the first fight.
But Joshua is determined to win the rematch this Saturday and set up a trilogy fight next year.
"He was on my mind five weeks before June 1 because that is when he came in,” he said at his public work-out in Riyadh.
“He’s going to be on my mind forever. We’re all going to fight. If he’s dedicated to the game we will definitely see each other a third time down the line.
“This won’t be the last time I see Andy Ruiz in the ring.
“I think we make for good fights. There’s definitely a knock out in this fight, that’s what the people want to see - blood shed and knockouts.
“I feel it in my heart, I’m confident and I believe in myself that I will be victorious. You’re going to see fireworks.”
