AJ had defeated champions. He had knocked out most of them. His gigantic built, muscular physique, victories against Klitschko & Povetkin (who are most feared and avoided boxers) was intimidating his opponents. And of course the media hype. He was like the ultimate boxer of this era. But the embarrassing defeat at the hands of Andy Ruiz reversed all those. Ruiz brutally knocked him down 4 times and MADE HIM QUIT IN THE END. In the rematch, AJ was still scared of Ruiz. Running away from him all night, trying to hit him here and there while doing so, and grabbing him to avoid being knocked out again. Because he and everybody knew if Ruiz catches him even once, AJ would be done. Now that AJ and his weak chin is exposed and well known by all boxers, his every opponent has a great chance of knocking him out. I say, if Pulev trains smart for AJ fight, he may be the new champion without much effort.
I do agree when a guy gets beat down like Joshua in the first fight, he loses some of that intimidation factor. That aura of in invincibility. He's still a force to be reckoned with. If anything, he emerges from the Ruiz fights a better, more complete fighter. He learned he has to train for every fight, any decent heavyweight can hurt you and there are guys that are not going to go to sleep when you hit them. Joshua remains a top tier HW and is probably the most "complete" HW meaning he has size, boxing skill, power and discipline.
I'm still of the opinion that no lighter version of the bodybuilder beats Ruiz in the first fight. Joshua was lucky to scrape by the blob in all honesty. And I still think Miller would have stopped him if the fight took place. My grandma watched the highlights of the second fight, and said Anthony was running for dear life, and she also said she probably could KO him with her handbag now his punch resistance is gone.
Just about any top tier HW can hurt anyone if they get a clean shot in. It happens and is part of why HW boxing is entertaining. You just never know. Pulev is past it I believe. He's at the end of his career and doesn't seem to be the guy he was five years ago. Time waits for no one.
Normally people are desperate to get the chance to fight the "money men" such as Canello, Mayweather and McGregor. Despite AJ being the money man of the divison, AJ though has actually the most avoided HW in deacdes. Look at the the guys who turned down offers: Wilder - turned down 5 offers. All 5 offers where career high purses offers of which were 3 x higher than ever earned. Ortiz - turned down a career high purse to fight Hammer. Kownacki - turned down a career high purse to fight Arreola. Fury - turned down career high purse to fight Schwarz. Whyte - turned down career high purse claiming he didnt like what he would potentially earn in the rematch if he won.
Most heavyweights like Kubrat Pulev are less afraid of him now. But Deontay Wilder still fears him and will never unify.
