Joshua v Ruiz Press conference

AJ is nowhere near as bad as he’s now being portrayed since the defeat and vice versa Ruiz is nowhere near as good. I still have the rematch as 60/40 in AJ’s favour.

 

You’re completely dismissing the possibility that (whilst it was a great night for Ruiz) it could have been an off night for Joshua. His performance in the first fight shouldn’t be what you solely take from him going in to the second one.

I do agree that Ruiz is all wrong for Joshua, it’s going to be a difficult nights work but I think on his day Joshua can blast anyone out of there.

I make it 55/60 to 45/40 in Joshua’s favour.

 

As much as I would like Ruiz to lose, he's just a much better boxer and will do the same to AJ again in the rematch.

 

It is and it isn’t. Ali Frazier springs to mind, Bowe Holyfield, Marquez Pacquiao.

If I could be bothered to sit and think properly or even do some research I could give you a full list of fighters who lost the first fight and won the rematch.

 

I felt last time for 2.5 rounds it was looking like a typical Joshua fight. AJ put together a great combination to drop Ruiz hard and then followed up with a wicked right hand.... but then the wheels fell off when he traded in close and that shot high on the head wrecked his equilibrium. I just feel that a Joshua who trains specifically for Ruiz (Not Miller) and is focused and fearful will be a completely different beast. I also suspect that Ruiz (a slob) isn’t going to be more disciplined due to his new found fame and fortune. Just fancy the wounded lion in this one.

 

Rewatch the sequence that led to Ruiz being knocked down and then the massive right hand that Joshua lands seconds after. He was teeing off on Ruiz for fun.

For me it’s pretty much 50/50 but if I had to bet I’d back Joshua just because I think Matchroom have the judges in his pocket. Joshua is also much, much smaller. He’s dropped serious amounts of weight on his upper body. This indicates to me that he is preparing for a 12 round fight. The tactics this time may well be to spoil and just 1-2 jab-right and double and triple jabs from range.

 

I think Ruiz has the skills needed to beat AJ, losing in that fashion comes down to more than an off night in my opinion. The problem I see here though is I don’t think Ruiz will have the same fire this time and I got a feeling he will come in badly trained and basically do a buster Douglas. Whereas AJ might be more fired up than ever, bad combination for Andy.

I think that Ruiz should win but I really feel he is going to blow it. I hope that isn’t the case but who knows what all that cash has done to his mind set, is he really going to have the discipline to drop all that extra weight he has put on over the next few months. I don’t know.

 

AJ is not 'much much smaller'. He just hasn't been in camp so his body fat has increased and muscle density decreased/it's an illusion. I guarantee he comes in within 6 lb's of his last weight.

 

Well it’s difficult to say I guess, but you have to wonder how much he has put on since the fight with all the celebrations etc, could he be near 300lbs, he don’t look great right now? In which case he would have to shift quite a bit in a fairly short amount of time. Hopefully not but I got a bad feeling, Ruiz talks a good good game about not wanting to be a one hit wonder but with the facility to do what he wants, will he have the mindset to beat a very motivated Joshua. I hope he can do it but I think a lot if assumptions are being made about him having AJs number , which I believe could be true, but if he isn’t in the shape or mindset he needs to be in it won’t happen.

 

People also forget that it can take a lifetime of hard work, dedication and sacrifice to achieve that 15 minutes of fame in sport. Like you, I don’t think he looks any fatter than he did on June 1st. Once he’s back in camp it will be very easy to shift any access pounds being that big. He hardly needs to get himself in trim aesthetic condition, 19 stone and fit enough to do 12 rounds will do.

 

That last point is true. Remember Ruiz has a unification fight at stake with Wilder which will be an enormous pay day in itself. Also don’t discount the prospect of a trilogy fight which I can see if Joshua wins or even loses in a close fight.

 

So they’re aiming for 255ib, which is at least a stone lighter than June 1st.

 

Just finished watching it...how can anyone not like him. He’s a respectful lad and he sounds as hungry to keep his belts as he was to win them. He’s aware of the doubters so the motivation is there. He also thinks that Joshua’s been pushed into this fight by Hearn.

The “I’m gonna stick to him like glue” quote was also quite telling. He’s going to have Joshua back pedalling again as we know Joshua wants to keep it long. That burns fuel and I don’t think Joshua boxes at his best when he’s backpedaling. It’s also inevitable that Ruiz will get inside and drag him into the trenches...let’s see what Joshua has.

I think Ruiz does him again but would never totally rule out someone who punches as hard as Joshua.

 

Both can be beaten, both have been beaten. I'm looking forward to this, I would like to see a ruthless Joshua go out and deliver a fantastic performance because I want British boxers to do well, on the whole, but this will be his toughest fight to date.

 

I so want this tweet to be true!

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