World title rematch in Saudi Arabia, due 9pm GMTToo many heads remain in the sand with hosting of sportAnd you can email Tom or tweet him @tom_lutz 6.13pm GMT
The rain is coming down in sheets outside (and inside) the open-air arena built for tonight’s event. Meanwhile, Croatian prospect Filip Hrgovic has stopped Eric Molina in the third round of their scheduled 12-round scrap, spared from the deluge by the small canopy hanging over the ring.
The BBC’s Dan Roan reports that organizers have said there’s no prospect of delay or cancellation despite the watery conditions, but the problems are mounting as the card moves forward. A few of the TV broadcasters on press row have enlisted assistants to shield them from the rain by holding umbrellas over their set-ups, but the umbrellas are obstructing the sightlines of several spectators in the high-rent district, who are understandably kicking off over it. We’re inching toward fiasco territory with the weather at #RuizJoshua2. This is the current view outside Diriyah Arena where the undercard is in full swing. pic.twitter.com/xZubHhKCej 5.39pm GMT
Here’s a look at tonight’s bout sheet. Also, a reminder that
Saudi Arabia has world’s third lowest rainfall with 59mm annually, according to the Press Association’s Mark Staniforth. Ruiz and Joshua are expected to make their entrances at a quarter to midnight local time or a little over three hours from now.
First bell (3.30pm – all times GMT)