After being beaten for the first time in his professional career on June 1 by Andy Ruiz Jr, Anthony Joshua has appeared notably slimmer ahead of his vital rematch with the Mexican-American.Set to go face to face again on December 7 in Saudi Arabia, both have appeared confident in the build-up so far, with Joshua saying he knows Ruiz's weaknesses which he can exploit to win."I don’t think a little blip should change you as a person, I think you should remain consistent with who you are," Joshua told Sky Sports."It’s funny because I’ll see him more this week than I ever did in the build-up to the first fight so I can become a bit more familiar with him."I know what I’m in for, I know what I’m capable of and what he’s capable of.

"I know some of the attributes he possesses, and some of the weaknesses. I have to go about exposing him that little bit more. The first time I had him down [in the first fight], I could have been smarter.

"These little things you think about in your head.

"Now I’m meeting him eye-to-eye once again, subconsciously the clock’s ticking and I’m thinking more and more about the fight and soon it will be 7 December."

Ruiz shocked the world in June, defeating Joshua through a technical knockout in the seventh round of their Madison Square Garden bout; Joshua's first fight in the US.

AJ's move to a slimmer physique shows how important the rematch is to him, as he looks to bolster his speed and stamina ahead of the bout.

Many had questioned the level of muscle Joshua had ahead of his Ruiz fight, with the Watford-born fighter perhaps sacrificing speed for power ahead of his expected fight with Jarrell Miller.

With his new found fitness, Joshua is bound to be in better condition beyond the opening rounds and his camp will hope an improvement in speed will nullify Ruiz's threat.

Despite AJ's pre-match efforts, Ruiz remains confident of achieving the same result in the same way.

"There’s a lot of responsibilities.

"I don't want to be a 15 minute champion,' he said at Wednesday's first press conference.

"On June 1 I made my dreams come true. There was a lot of sacrifice and blood, sweat and tears. I feel like I'm here for a purpose.

"I know on December 7 Joshua is going to be coming hard, he's going to be strong, he's hungry but I am as well. I know a lot of people are saying I'm not training but I'm working hard.

"I’m going to try my best. I’m going to keep those belts and I’m going to have them back in Mexico.

"I’m going to win here in the same fashion that I won on 1 June."