Boxing art collector Ingo Wegerich explores the stories behind iconic fight artwork, drawing on his extensive private collection. This piece centres on Anthony Joshua’s redemption win over Andy Ruiz Jr.
Following the tragic accident on December 29, 2025, on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Ogun State, Nigeria – in which two close friends and team members of Anthony Joshua, Sina Ghami and Latif “Latz” Ayodele, lost their lives – there has been a period of quiet around the two-time unified heavyweight champion.
As attention turns back to ‘AJ’s next move, we revisit one of the defining moments of his career – and the artwork that captured it.
The Fight
The rematch between Anthony Joshua and Andy Ruiz Jr. on December 7, 2019, in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia, was an event of extremes – sporting, financial and logistical.
Six months earlier, late-replacement Andy Ruiz Jr. had stunned the boxing world at Madison Square Garden, knocking Joshua down four times in seven rounds to claim the WBC, WBA, IBF and IBO titles. Comparisons to Mike Tyson’s defeat by Buster Douglas were inevitable.
The rematch, titled Clash on the Dunes, was not only the first heavyweight world championship staged in Saudi Arabia, but also an early marker of what has since become a new boxing Mecca.
The event came with an extraordinary financial package. Joshua reportedly earned between $60 million and $85 million, while Ruiz earned between $10 million and $13 million. The Diriyah Arena – an open-air stadium in the desert – was constructed in just six weeks and held 15,000 spectators.
At the weigh-in, the contrast was clear. Ruiz tipped the scales at 283.7lbs, more than 15lbs heavier than in the first fight, prompting suggestions he had celebrated too long. Joshua, by contrast, came in at 237¾lbs – over 10lbs lighter than before.
Inside the ring, the fight was controlled and clinical. Joshua dictated the distance, stayed disciplined, and scored consistently behind his jab and footwork. Ruiz struggled to close the gap or land anything meaningful.
After 12 rounds, Joshua reclaimed his titles via unanimous decision. The fight generated approximately 1.5 million pay-per-view buys in the UK, making it one of the best-selling events in British boxing history.
More importantly, Joshua had answered every question with a tactical masterclass.
The Artwork
Boxing News marked Clash on the Dunes with a striking painted cover in vibrant shades of yellow, gold and brown, depicting both fighters in action. The artwork was created by Hall of Fame artist Richard T. Slone.
The colour palette carries symbolic weight. Yellow, often associated with tension and inner unrest, reflects the nervous energy before the fight. Gold represents ambition, wealth and grandeur, while also evoking the Saudi setting. The tones collectively mirror desert sand – a deliberate reference to the event’s title. Brown adds a sense of tradition and timelessness.
The painting was completed before the fight, which explains why it does not reflect the eventual physical disparity between the fighters. In Slone’s depiction, Joshua appears compact and powerful, almost gladiatorial, with sharply defined musculature.
Both fighters are captured mid-exchange. Their expressions convey focus and intensity. Joshua’s eyes are closed, suggesting deep concentration, while his punch appears to drive through Ruiz with force and intent. Ruiz, mouth open, embodies exertion and determination.
The word “Destroyer” is visible on Ruiz’s shorts – a nod to his nickname, earned through his aggressive, high-output style.
The Roman numeral “II” references the rematch, but also symbolises Joshua’s attempt to rebuild after defeat — mentally as much as physically. The loss had shaken his identity as champion. Here, he appears composed, focused and resolute.
Slone’s brushwork is expressive and energetic. Through colour, movement and symbolism, he transforms a sporting moment into visual history with psychological depth.
The Artist
Richard T. Slone, a British-born artist now based in Las Vegas, is widely regarded as one of boxing’s foremost painters.
A former protégé of Joe Frazier and a member of the famed Kronk Gym, Slone has served as the official artist of the International Boxing Hall of Fame since 1996.
He has been commissioned for some of the sport’s biggest events, including Floyd Mayweather vs Manny Pacquiao, Mayweather vs Canelo Alvarez, Canelo vs Gennadiy Golovkin, and most recently Canelo vs Terence Crawford.
His work has featured on numerous Ring Magazine and Boxing News covers, capturing the drama and emotion of boxing at the highest level.
Personal Note
I have a personal connection to this painting. I not only own it, but was also present at the fight in Saudi Arabia.
At the time, the experience felt like an adventure. The outdoor weigh-in was sparsely attended compared to other major events, and much of the atmosphere centred around the fighters’ hotel – intense, but intimate.
Shortly before the fight, light rain began to fall. It reminded me of The Rumble in the Jungle, where a heavy downpour followed shortly after the bout.
It’s a trip I will never forget – and this painting remains a vivid reminder of that experience.
Artwork Details
Ruiz Jr. vs Joshua II
Original, 2019
Richard T. Slone
Acrylic on canvas
36″ × 40″
Copyright Richard T. Slone. More of the collection can be viewed via Ingo Wegerich Fine Art Collection, or on Instagram.
