Well, while A.J is good boxer, his last win was vs 39 y.o Pulev. I might explain how valuable this win is for me: this Pulev version was version I might be happy to get in the ring for some 50k purse. 0 belts needed. Unlike Pulev's younger versions for sure, he was not bad. Ruiz most likely had assumed that A.J will go for KO/TKO win and he will counter. While A.J had different game plan and had executed this with a glance. Nothing wrong: it is pro boxing. A lot of A.J opponents were over the hill and I better might had saw A.J vs Parker II, A.J vs Ruiz III rather than Pulev fight or fight vs out of retirement old uncle Wlad etc alike fights.
Sure if Ruiz works his way back into contention. Can't see anything other than a rinse and repeat of the 2nd fight. If Parker can beat a fitter and more in shape Ruiz on the outside, and Joshua has already beat him the same way then Ruiz is relegated to a punchers chance. Anyone saying Joshua has to KO ruiz to even the score are talking bollocks which is typical of the Joshua critics. Joshua merely has to win the majority of the rounds.
Pretty much. Joshua could beat Fury, Wilder, Usyk, and Ruiz 20 more times, it still won’t stop the criticism for the loss.
I think lots of it were because the optics were so terrible. Ruiz aesthetically looks diminutive and overweight. Joshua was meant to go over there and steamroller him in a big introduction to the US market. In a way, Joshua dropping Ruiz made it even worse because even from that position of ascendency he was still beaten in such a fashion. Obviously he probably did have an off night and may have been complacent - but due to the optics people will always remember that defeat regardless what he goes on to achieve. I actually prefer Joshua's persona post loss. He took it well and clearly has worked on his game - big credit to him for that. I felt he was beginning to believe his own hype before Ruiz 1.
The first fight left question makes. There was clearly issues inside the camp with AJ and then in the ring he was in control of the fight until he got hurt and never recovered. In the rematch he dominated the fight and Ruiz didn't win a single round For me that answered all questions.
It's a fight I'd like to see, but Ruiz had his chance to put a stamp on it in the rematch and came into it even more obese than usual.
Joshua didn't lose because he "got caught." Lennox Lewis got caught. Joshua quit. He consciously spit out his mouthpiece. He consciously refused to follow the referee's instructions. He quit.
THIS. I hate fighters that head into the most important fight of their lives looking like they came out of a week long session at a buffet. Ruiz could have come in trim and on fire. If he'd been lighter he might have been able to close the distance on AJ better and force him into a firefight. He could have gone from the "guy that got lucky" to being a straight up mauler. Instead he blew it. He didnt even try
Exactly. Some people dont really deserve a second chance and Ruiz - for now anyway - is one of those guys.
After ruiz-Joshua 2, I had no interest in seeing a third. Ruiz came in overweight and was dominated. If it had been close or exciting sure but it was pretty cringey when Ruiz asked for a third fight and the crowd booed in response because of his effort. As of now let Ruiz get some good wins under his belt and the third fight sells itself eventually.
Disagree. Heavyweight boxing is all about the knockouts. That's why we watch it, to see the biggest guys getting rendered unconscious. That's why the first fight was so good, and conversely why the rematch stunk so much. The smaller weight divisions you can appreciate the speed and technique more so as they go 12 rounds, whereas at heavyweight it's not quite as entertaining seeing two puddings who are already gassed at the halfway mark slugging it out for the full distance. It's not all about winning, it's about how you win! You only have to watch the England football team play to understand this from a spectators point of view.
Nah.. He was beating him in the 1st until he got clipped, and dominated him in the 2nd fight. Andy has got to earn his shot.