Boxing: Insane payday for Anthony Joshua re-match in the desert with Andy Ruiz

Britain's heavyweight fighter Anthony Joshua. Photo / AP

Dethroned heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua will earn the richest payday in British boxing history in his Saudi Arabian re-match with Andy Ruiz Jr.

Joshua was humiliated when he was stopped at Madison Square Garden in June after Ruiz had taken the fight against the former champion at late notice.

Considered one of the biggest outsiders in boxing history, Ruiz knocked Joshua down four times on his way to a famous title-winning victory.

Despite Ruiz's historic win, a report now claims Joshua will earn a staggering $US85 million when he steps into the ring to win back his WBO, WBA and IBF heavyweight crowns.

The Daily Mail reports the English star will earn more than six times the $US13 million Ruiz will receive as dictated by the re-match terms negotiated in the original fight contract the pair signed earlier this year.

The staggering money for Joshua is more than four times the reported $US20 million he earned for the first fight with Joshua in New York this year.

Ruiz is also earning a massive pay rise in the re-match after he reportedly pocketed around $US7 million for replacing Jarrell Miller at late notice.

The ridiculous money on offer reportedly is the result of host-country Saudi Arabia enticing Joshua's promoters to stage the fight in the desert, in an attempt to promote the ancient city of Diriyah and showcase it as a tourism destination.

Joshua's $85 million payday is reportedly the same fortune returning UFC star Conor McGregor earned for his boxing debut against Floyd Mayweather, the fight where the veteran American legend reportedly pocketed an insane $275 million (including his share of the pay-per-view purchases).

It means Joshua's payday equals the record for the highest paid combat sports star in British history.

Joshua needs to win to keep his hopes alive for a potential mega-fight against either Deontay Wilder or Tyson Fury in 2020.

Wilder is widely considered to be the baddest boxer on the planet after his knockout of Luis Ortiz last month, but earned a reported $US20 million for the result.

The Bronze Bomber's re-match with Fury is scheduled for February with the winner likely to face off with Joshua or Ruiz in a title unification blockbuster that is expected to challenge for one of the highest selling events in boxing history.

Joshua has reportedly re-doubled his efforts in the gym since being put on his bottom by Ruiz.

The Sun reports Joshua is dropping his sparring partners and sending them home early, according to one boxer who has been working with AJ in camp, Timothy Moten.

Moten has revealed that Joshua has stepped things up in his training — to devastating effect.

Speaking to MailOnline, the 27-year-old: "There have been guys here, I don't want to say any names, but I've seen guys come into camp, get blown away and get sent home that same week.

"He's dropped a few of his sparring partners and he's rocked a lot.

"Joshua is by far the hardest hitter I've been in the ring with."

Moten also interestingly revealed that Joshua has been sparring another Mexican heavyweight in the hope of being prepared for the bombs that Ruiz Jr will inevitably try and land come December 7.