THE latest instalment of the Anthony Joshua story unfolds tomorrow night (early Sunday morning British time) at New York’s Madison Square Garden, where the Brit will make his US debut in defence of his IBF, WBO and WBA belts against Andy Ruiz. 

The circumstances surrounding the fight — Ruiz having been drafted in with five weeks’ notice to replace Joshua’s original opponent, Jarrell “Big Baby” Miller, after the latter failed not one but three drug tests — dictate that he should enjoy a comfortable night and roll over the Mexican-American. 

But aside from the fact that Ruiz has the body of someone who regards a boxing gym — indeed any kind of gym — as enemy territory, this fight could be more interesting than many predict. 

Ruiz carries the skills and the handspeed to cause Joshua a few problems. And with a record of 32 wins and one loss in 33 fights with 21 KOs, he won’t be climbing into the ring with the mentality of a man who’s just there for the payday. 

Based on his demeanour and comments in the lead-up, Ruiz instead is coming to win, thinks he can win and will be fighting with this objective in mind. 

In many respects, too, he presents Joshua with a more formidable challenge than Miller, his original opponent, would have, given his superior movement and speed.

Joshua’s arrival Stateside has been fuelled by a marketing campaign of such flamboyance it would have made Liberace blush. 

During the usual flurry of pre-fight interviews, Joshua’s promoter, the ubiquitous Eddie Hearn, made no bones about the fact that this promotion, in conjunction with US livestream sports broadcasting giant DAZN, takes his own career to new heights. 

With Joshua a veritable cash cow, the Essex-based promoter has every reason to be delighted with the way things are progressing. 

However, that said, assuming Joshua comes through tomorrow with his undefeated record and belts intact as expected, there will be nowhere to hide if his next fight is not against a calibre of opposition consistent with the marketing blitz that’s been deployed on his behalf. 

With Wilder recently announcing that his next fight will be a rematch with Luis Ortiz in September, all eyes now turn to the prospect of a Tyson Fury v Joshua domestic clash before the end of the year. 

Fury’s availability is no longer and issue now either, the Gypsy King having made it known that he’s changed his mind about facing Dillian Whyte for the WBC diamond belt and a mandatory slot to face Wilder after his June 15 outing in Vegas against Germany’s Tom Schwarz.

As for Wilder, the clattering right hand with which he took out Dominic Breazeale in the first round of his recent fight made a chilling statement of his own intentions, refutes as nonsense the fatuous claim that he’s avoiding AJ. 

The only reason why this fight has and is not being made is the animus that exists between Wilder’s management and promotional team and Hearn.

Returning to tomorrow night’s action and, since winning the gold medal at the London Olympics in 2012, Joshua has done much to propel the sport to new participatory and commercial heights. 

That he can fight is not in question, evidenced in notable victories over Vladimir Klitschko, Joseph Parker, Carlos Takam, Whyte and Alexander Povetkin. The affable Londoner has also proved he has the will to get off the canvas to win fights if need be, something he did most memorably against Klitschko in 2017.

Even so, there are those yet to be fully convinced he’s deserving of the accolades and who won’t be satisfied until he tests himself against either Wilder or Fury. 

For the sake of the sport and its fans, both fights need to take place sooner rather than later. If they don’t, no amount of marketing or promotional razzmatazz will be able to compensate for the gap in credibility and legacy. 

Complementing Joshua’s clash with Ruiz in New York, we have a stacked undercard. 

Liverpool’s Callum Smith makes his first defence of the WBA Super Middleweight belt he removed from the waist of George Groves last September in the final of the World Boxing Super Series. 

The fighter with the task of taking the title from Smith this weekend is Hassan N’Dam N’Jikam, originally from Cameroon but now based in Monte Carlo. 

On paper this is a “gimme fight” for Smith, who will no doubt be eager to get back in the ring after a prolonged absence since his crushing victory over Groves. 

Smith’s coach, Joe Gallagher, is itching for a fight with Canelo Alvarez, which may well be on the cards next, although with Billy Joe Saunders recently lifting the WBO version of the super middleweight title, don’t be surprised if a domestic showdown between two of the most talented British fighters we’ve seen for a long time arrives at a venue near you soon. 

This particular fight would necessitate bitter promotional rivals Eddie Hearn and Frank Warren sitting down at a table together, but where there’s a will there’s a way, especially with this kind of money at stake. 

However whether Canelo or Saunders, for Smith the opportunities that are set to come his way over the next 12 months will only be enhanced if he turns out the performance he’ll be looking to in front of a US audience for the first time. 

Elsewhere, Joshua Buatsi defends his is WBA International Light-Heavyweight title against Mexico’s Marco Antonio Periban, Josh Kelly defends his WBA International Welterweight title against Philadelphia’s Ray Robinson and Tommy Coyle faces off against Chris Algieri for the latter’s WBO International Super Lightweight title.

Last but by no means least, Ireland’s Katie Taylor bids to unify the woman’s lightweight title against Delfine Persoon of Belgium in a contest in which all the belts are up for grabs.