Anthony Joshua will have the chance to avenge his shock world heavyweight title defeat to Andy Ruiz Jr in November or December, promoter Eddie Hearn has confirmed.
The previously undefeated Briton - making his US debut - relinquished the WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, and IBO belts on Saturday night after being knocked down four times en route to a seventh-round stoppage defeat by an unfancied late replacement opponent at Madison Square Garden.
Promoter Eddie Hearn confirmed quickly after that momentous upset in New York that they would look to stage a rematch in the United Kingdom in the final two months of 2019.
That appeared to become official on Tuesday, with the Matchroom Sport chief taking to social media to confirm that the rematch clause had now been activated.
The location of the bout remains uncertain, however.
"After meetings with AJ, [trainer] Rob Mc[Cracken] and the management team in NY, we have today triggered the contracted rematch clause with Andy Ruiz Jnr," Hearn said on Twitter.
"The fight will take place in Nov/Dec at a venue to be confirmed shortly."
