Anthony Joshua has insisted winning his world heavyweight title rematch against Andy Ruiz Jr in Saudi Arabia tomorrow night will be no special cause for celebration.

Victory for Watford boxer Joshua would avenge his stunning loss to Ruiz in his last fight in June and project him towards a unification bout against either Tyson Fury or Deontay Wilder.

The stakes are incredibly high for the former world champion with Joshua needing a victory to re-establish his standing in the heavyweight division.

But at the press conference close to the venue in the desert suburb of Diriyah, Joshua said: “People have asked me if it will be a special moment if I win, and I say no because I belong here.

“When I regain those belts, I will keep the challenger mind-set and stay focused.

“It’s not a time to celebrate. It’s a time to keep my challenger’s mind-set and move on to my next target.”

The 30-year-old was a 1/25 favourite to win the last bout against Ruiz with the late replacement for Jarrell Miller given little chance of success.

But Joshua’s unbeaten record was shattered after being knocked down four times. The referee waved off the fight in the seventh round as Joshua lost for the first time in 23 contests as a professional.

Joshua is expected to enter the ring roughly half a stone lighter than he was for the first fight with Ruiz, although he did not give anything away during a media workout.

He has exuded an aura of quiet confidence during his public and media appearances this week, appearing to back up his repeated assertion that his stunning loss to Ruiz has not affected his appetite for the sport.

“As soon as I got back from New York I got straight back in at Finchley ABC - I didn’t lose any heart,” added Joshua. “There’s fire in my belly, there’s no fear in my heart, and I’m just focused on putting on a show.”

Mexican-American Ruiz has relished the intense media scrutiny of fight week, lingering for media opportunities and taking to the ring for his public work-out in lime green hand-wraps and a grey bobble-hat which he threw into the crowd.

He sported more eye-catching attire at the press conference, with a New York Knicks top in order to remind himself - and Joshua - of the venue where he pulled off arguably the biggest upset win since Hasim Rahman dethroned Lennox Lewis in Carnival City in 2001.

“I’m glad people noticed the jersey,” said Ruiz. “I wore it to remind myself that I’m the champ, and to remind AJ as well, but I did it for myself mainly.”

Ruiz has been preparing for Joshua to adopt a more cagey and elusive game-plan in order to avoid another defeat at the hands of the champion’s crashing left hook.

He added: “I know AJ’s going to come with a different game-plan. I know he’s prepared and motivated and he’s going to be more cautious.

“I know he’s lost weight and he’s going to try to box me around but it’s my job to prevent that.

“I don’t want to let these beautiful belts go away. It’s been a long rollercoaster and I’ve finally made my dreams come true.

“I’m going to do anything possible to get that victory.”