Anthony Joshua nemesis Andy Ruiz Jr makes direct offer to step in for Whyte but 41-year-old veteran is frontrunner

ANTHONY JOSHUA has been offered a short-notice trilogy fight with Andy Ruiz Jr following the collapse of his domestic dust-up with Dillian Whyte.

AJ’s rematch with the Brixton Body Snatcher was axed this weekend after his long-time rival failed a drugs test for the THIRD time in his career.

Anthony Joshua is without an opponent following Dillian Whyte’s failed drug testRICHARD PELHAM

ALAMY

Promoter Eddie Hearn is working hard to find a new opponent for AJ[/caption]

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Former foe Andy Ruiz Jr has offered to face Joshua on a week’s notice[/caption]

Joshua’s team are working frantically to try and secure a short-minute replacement for Whyte and SunSport understands that American Gerald Washington is the current frontrunner to land the fight.

But former unified heavyweight champ Ruiz Jr – who spectacularly dethroned AJ in New York four years ago – has thrown his hat into the ring.

The Destroyer said on Instagram: “Eddie Hearn, Joshua, I think I’ve found a new replacement – again!

“Let’s run it back. Let’s get the trilogy. Let’s get it.”

Ruiz Jr, 33, pulled off the biggest upset in boxing since Buster Douglas’ shock win over Mike Tyson in 1990 when he stepped up on six weeks’ notice to stop AJ at Madison Square Garden.

His reign as unified heavyweight champion, however, was a short-lived one as he was outpointed by Joshua in their Saudi rematch six months later.

Ruiz Jr’s calls for a rubber match fell on deaf ears and he’s had to make do with consecutive fights with veterans Luis Ortiz and Chris Arreola.

While Matchroom Boxing works frantically to find a new opponent for Joshua, Whyt, 35, is beginning a battle to save his career.

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His latest potential anti-doping violation is the third time he’s tested positive for banned performance-enhancing drugs.

The former WBC heavyweight title challenger was banned for two years after testing positive for a prohibited stimulant in 2012.

He tested positive for metabolites of the anabolic steroid Dianabol in 2019 but was exonerated of any wrongdoing by UKAD due to the “extremely low” levels of the drug found in his system.

And the fan favourite has once again vowed to clear his name.

He said in a statement: “I am shocked and devastated to learn of a report by VADA of adverse findings relating to me.

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Gerald Washington is currently the front-runner to face Anthony Joshua[/caption]

“I only learned of it this morning and am still reacting to it.

“I have also just seen the fight is being cancelled without having any chance to demonstrate my innocence before the decision was taken.

“I can confirm without a shadow of a doubt that I have not taken the reported substance, in this camp or at any point in my life.

“I am completely innocent and ask to be given the time to go through the process of proving this without anybody jumping to conclusions or a trial by media.”