I see your point but it's a long bow to draw. Liston for his imperfections never looked as confused, helpless and inept against a guy he had such massive physical advantages over. It would be like Liston getting outboxed, exposed and brutally stopped by Albert Westphal by way of comparison. Joshua will need to do a lot to live this down.
A mildly interesting bit of trivia just occurred to me: I once read that John Ruiz was supposedly the first Hispanic ever to win a world title at heavyweight, and so it would now appear that Andy Ruiz is the first to hold all the major belts -and he has the same last name.
Big reality check with the modernist posters here …. they can get in the back seat for a while. Goes to show that activity, experience, toughness, heart, old school, infighting, different styles (no matter how it looks) in the getting the Win, counts for everything
Honestly I think the Wilder Brezeale KO had an effect on this fight. Wilder destroyed him in 1 round with 1 punch, whereas it took Joshua several rounds. I think AJ was feeling the pressure to want to put away Ruiz quickly and got over eager. However I think the problems in his performance go even beyond that. I favor Joshua in a rematch, but I’m not super confident about it.
Spot on. The mythical Bowe ATG based on a couple of good performances. Its amazing the slack he gets for being American.
I think Joshua is a good guy who folded under the pressure of being Champ at such a young age and having to knockout Ruiz faster than Wilder knocked out Breazedale, who is shite. He looked relieved after losing. Note how he acted after losing and was gracious like a man, rather than gutter trash.
Yes I agree that Liston never gassed out or suffered with anxiety because he was not in command of ring centre in the way Joshua did. Liston also would have had the sense to draw a lead if he was clipped each time he was committing to an exchange. However, Ruiz is no Westphal. He was practically undefeated. He fought a smart counter pressure fight, was more seasoned even if he was in Absolutely no shape to maintain any kind of pace whatsoever.
It's not because he is American Bowe in shape and ready had all the skills to be an ATG. And one only needs to watch him at his best, and watch any of the Champs of the last 10-15 yrs at their best too see the difference in ability and skill level. He was lazy, and unfocused and it cost him. And rightfully so he shouldn't be considered a ATG. But the ability was their in spades.
Joshua only has one flurry in his quiver. If you survive that, you have a few rounds to do damage. If you have quick hands and fighting will, like Ruiz, that's all you need. If you are ancient and by nature cautious, like Waldo, you let him back in the game. Joahua is a glorified David Price. The sun never sets on chinny heavies with tiny gas tanks apparently.
First Pride, then the FALL. AJ went from a likeable kid to a big headed vain indestructible. In Britain he has had no end of interviews build up, Support and even TV appearance and Shows, his personality changed gradually, but visible. and like so many people in the Public Eye, the persona changed and especially noticeable to people who don't like that kind of thing and cringe and worry for the person when they see it happening. Shame, but it'll either smarten him up or harden him even worse.
I don’t think that is fair. You need to win a great fight to become a great fighter. Hype jobs never win great fights. Joshua ticked all the boxes so far. He has won great fights. He has got off the floor to win something Tyson and lennox lewis never did. And his career is not over. Everyone has Limitations.
Being fair as I can to the guy, you make a great point. I was in the middle of listening to Ruiz interview and AJ came over and interrupted the whole thing to explain himself. Whilst he did show class in not making excuses, it was Andy’s moment. He thought it was his show.
