Anthony Joshua returns to the ring for the first time since September 2018 on Saturday night, looking to defend his title as undisputed heavyweight champion of the world.
Joshua will take on Mexican fighter Andy Ruiz Jr, after initial challenger Jarrell Miller dropped out after failing multiple drugs tests.
The British boxer is the overwhelming favourite, and already appears to have his eyes set on his next challenge. The 29-year-old is eyeing up a bout with Deontay Wilder or Tyson Fury, calling for Wilder to see him 'man to man' and organise a future fight.
Still, Joshua has to beat Ruiz Jr first, and the fighter who previously challenged for the WBO heavyweight title in 2016 is unlikely to be a pushover come Saturday’s bout. He has lost just one of his 33 professional fights to date, which came against Joseph Parker in 2016.
The fight takes place in New York’s Madison Square Garden on Saturday June 1, although due to time differences, viewers in the UK will be watching in the early hours of Sunday morning – possibly starting as late as 3 or 4am.
In fact, the majority of sports bars in the city won’t be opening late to show the fight due to the unusual start time. It’s worth checking ahead and calling venues too, as some places we found had the fight on their website, but had cancelled their screenings.
See below for our pick of the venues opening late to show the fight. Guests must book ahead for the ticketed screenings, while fans are also advised to get down as early as possible for the non-ticketed events.
- Alexandra Clapham, 14 Clapham Common South Side, Clapham, SW4 7AA, alexandraclapham.com, pub closes at 1am, open again for the boxing at 1.30am, tickets £5 available on the door
- The Bat and Ball, Westfield stratford city, The Street, E20 1EN, designmynight.com, tickets £5, includes a drink
- Boxpark Croydon, 99 George St, Croydon CR0 1LD, boxpark.co.uk, tickets £5
- Boxpark Wembley, 18 Olympic Way, Wembley HA9 0JT, boxpark.co.uk, tickets £5
- Belushi's London Bridge, 161-165, Borough High St, SE1 1HR, belushis.com, tickets £25, including two drinks and a burger. ID is essential - anyone without photo ID will be refused entry
- Leyton Star, 116 High Rd Leyton, Leyton, E15 2BX, designmynight.com, tickets £5
- McGettigan's Fulham, 1 Fulham Broadway, Fulham, SW6 1AA, mcgettigans.com, tickets £5 available on the door.
- Prince of Wales, Hartfield Mansions, 2 Hartfield Rd, Wimbledon, SW19 3TA, greeneking-pubs.co.uk first come first serve
