There are mixed opinions on what AJ's next move should be, Immediate Rematch or Tune-up fights. Now i've been curious about something; People are suggesting tune-up fights - but against who? Tune-ups are generally against underwhelming opponents who usually get knocked right over and want a quick buck, does this do AJ any favours at all? Shouldn't he just pay these very fighters (and more) for some intense sparring? They'd have no problem paying good money for sparring partners - if he does some brutal sparring for a few months with a few decent opponents, surely this is better than fighting a couple of tune-up level opponents? IMO - If he wants to regain credibility, he needs to take the rematch. Avoiding the rematch doesn't make him look good at all, and he won't get a shot at the titles for a very long time if he doesn't take it now. He needs to prepare correctly and take the gamble, and do it back at MSG too! He should get numerous good level sparring partners and get himself in some wars; weekly 12 rounders, full contact etc. (though, not too close to the fight of course) What do you guys think?
I still believe Joshua should have an interim fight before Ruiz. With all the money involved in a rematch I think it would be possible to do a Wilder-Fury type deal whereby they have an interim bout each before the rematch, notwithstanding the risk of either man losing and blowing the rematch. Someone like Chisora would be good for Joshua to fight and maybe try some new things before stepping in with Ruiz again. But having said that I understand the logic behind the immediate rematch too. At the end of the day, if Big AJ wants it, fair play, why not have the rematch. He’s clearly confident.
Shame eddie chambers is furys pal he would have been a great sparring partner to have in his camp preparing for ruiz
Think that would have been extremely unlikely after Joshua called him a “disgrace to the superior race”.
I think he should go for the rematch straight away. I, like many others still think Joshua can beat him...and im sure Joshua knows he can beat him too. He has to go for it...no disrespect to Fury but AJ doesn't want to move like that. Whats the point of a tune up fight? My man was heavyweight champion of the world and lost to someone who he underestimated. He needs the rematch, not only to win the fight but to also beat them demons he will have lurking in his mind. Plus if he did have a tune up fight against a Schwarz type of fighter he would demolish them and people would just take the **** how he couldn't beat the fat boy and whats he doing fighting bums etc. Joshua/Ruiz 2....Biggest fight of the decade.
Just fight him straight away, its not difficult to see what happened. AJ was having success had Ruiz hurt and rushed in against a dangerous fighter got caught and never really recovered. All the talk that it was all Ruiz from the opening bell is nonsense from the anti matchroom lot (who if you believe them AJ was audley level all along). Immediate rematch and if he doesnt win then he is never going to improve beyond what he is now.
If AJ does not take the rematch straight away then all the belts will get split up and Ruiz will have to start fighting mandatorys .... AJ simply HAS to do the rematch and HAS to win or he is finished ....Most of the top 10 Heavyweights will already fancy their chances against AJ now... Fury beats him Wilder beats him Ruiz already has and probably will again Usyk beats him i think Michael Hunter ,dubois,Gorman,Kabayel,Kowanacki,Hrgovic all give him nightmares.... He needs to stick to fighting big stiff past their best boxers like Pulev
IMO, if AJ can workout an effective gameplan and stick to it, he can beat Ruiz with no tune up fights. If he does take a tune up fight, what would it be for? Confidence boost? Fair play... try new things out? One fight wouldn't be enough.. and against who..? Nah, just go fix the problem and settle it.
Absolutely. The way I see it - AJ massively underestimated and overlooked Ruiz, and paid the price. He won't do that again, I back AJ for a mid/late KO. Tune-up fights? Screw that - if he needs to regain confidence he should do so via brutal and technical sparring sessions with decent fighters.
Joshua's confidence is shot. The bodybuilder needs Eddie to hold his hand to stop him having panic attacks. And spar with guys that ain't called David Price. Lol.
I don't think he needs a tune up fight, let's be honest if Joshua can't beat ruiz jr he should quit boxing because ruiz jr is nothing special. He is a decent boxer for a fat lad but is he a great fighter, no he's not. In fact Joshua should be ashamed of himself for losing to the guy once, he will be absolutely ridiculed if he loses to him again.
It's a straight rematch or nothing. Tune up means he's frozen out for at least 18 months probably more.
