Andy Ruiz Jr., a previous foe of Anthony Joshua, proposes to take Dillian Whyte's place when the latter failed a drug test for the third time in his career.

Andy Ruiz Jr., a previous foe of Anthony Joshua, has offered to replace Dillian Whyte after their rematch was called off due to Whyte's failing drug test.

Whyte was disqualified from his all-British bout with AJ and denied the chance to get revenge for his defeat in 2015 after failing a drug test for the third time in his career. This forced Joshua to find an emergency replacement.

While Andy Ruiz Jr. has emerged as a surprise contender, Joshua's team is frantically trying to find a successor.

After Saturday's fight was called off due to a 'adverse result' in one of Whyte's drug tests, Ruiz is now considering a trilogy battle with AJ.

'Eddie Hearn, Joshua, I guess I've found a new replacement - again,' The Destroyer wrote on Instagram.

'Run it back,' I said. Get the trilogy started. Let's go for it.

Joshua was stopped by Ruiz Jr. in the seventh round to win the heavyweight title, but Ruiz Jr. lost the title when Joshua won on points in Saudi Arabia.

He has subsequently faced seasoned opponents Chris Arreola and Luis Ortiz, but he now wants to play in the major levels again.

According to Sun Sport, Gerald Washington is currently the favorite to face Joshua, but Ruiz will want to be chosen for the matchup.

In a statement regarding his failed test, Whyte pledged to prove his innocence and said: "I am startled and dismayed to read of a report by VADA of adverse findings relating to me.

I only found out about it this morning, so I'm still processing it.

In addition, I recently learned that the fight was called off without having an opportunity to prove my innocence before the decision was made.

"I can state categorically that I have never used the alleged substance, in this camp or at any other time in my life.

"I am completely innocent and ask that the process of establishing this be given time without any hasty judgments or a trial by the media."

This is the third time in his career that he has failed a drug test, as the Body Snatcher was disqualified for two years in 2012 after testing positive for an illegal stimulant.

He also tested positive for anabolic steroid Dianabol metabolites in 2019, but UKAD cleared him of any wrongdoing because of the 'very low' levels of the drug that were discovered in his body.