How did this 2nd fight affect your opinion on both AJ and Andy Ruiz?

Dedicated Joshua beat undedicated Ruiz.

If Ruiz came in shape 255 lbs this could have been more close. Ruiz only won 2 rounds. In shape he could have won a couple more.

 

It convinced me that Joshua will be a part of the heavyweight picture for years moving forward. That was a serious question mark for me, given the way he out and out submitted the first time.

Even though he had tens of millions in the bank, Joshua immediately chased dangerous redemption against Ruiz only months after being TKOed. He made the right move in dropping the beach muscles, he coped with his doubts, and in the fight he fought intelligently. That definitely earned my respect.

With Fury apparently losing interest in boxing, Wilder is the only obvious threat to Joshua. I think Wilder would win a trilogy with Joshua, but I think can have many more productive years in this game.

 

Before the fight I thought AJ was mentally shot, after the fight I think he's shown amazing skills to adapt and overcome.

 

Work ethic prevailed over raw talent. Kinda reminded me of Vitali Klitschko vs. Corrie Sanders.

 

Proved to me that Fury and Deontay are still both the top 2 heavyweights. It brings Joshua back to number 3 for me.
I have Ruiz at number 4, and still think he would KO Pulev, Povetkin, and that puny Usyk.
I think Tyson would have out boxed the blob, and made him quit in his corner like Chisora.
I still think a Wilder right hand would have stopped Ruiz.
There's no question now that Wilder is a bigger puncher than Joshua.
I knew Joshua could outbox Ruiz anyway if he played it safe. Slightly disappointed he couldn't drop Ruiz a few times, or stop him very late rounds.
Joshua isn't quite the same fighter when he fought Wlad.

 

Ruiz should be ashamed of himself.

This rematch was just as important as the first fight as the exact same belts were on the line. He was the champion and there's no excuse for him not taking the fight seriously especially when he would have known that Joshua would be better prepared this time.

Joshua boxed cautiously and that does not suddenly make him some great exponent of the sweet science.

Fury would outbox Joshua and Wilder would knock him out.

 

Exactly. This wasn’t some magical performance from AJ, Ruiz was that bad this time. He didn’t even try to cut off the ring or jab his way inside. He fought with zero urgency.

AJ should have lit him up much more with the height/reach disparity from the outside.

 

AJ's engine improved massively and he should stick at around 235lbs from here onwards. Boxed very well, he needed to work on that jab and his movement and he did. Credit where it's due.
Ruiz is still very tough, great chin, very good skills but I was iffy about him after the weigh in and he confirmed those doubts. He needs to stay at around 260lbs so he has the legs and speed at its optimal balance.

 

Nice to see all the doubters and nay sayers still not able to give Joshua even one iota of credit given that apparently he was mentally shot, massively overrated, had ZERO stamina for a 12 round fight, would get discombobulated by the first half decent shot that Ruiz landed and on and on.....and on.

Joshua overcame some serious issues regarding his own self belief and confidence which was going to be far harder than anything Ruiz was going to throw at him. He showed solid fundamentals and supreme discipline to stick to a game plan.

Joshua deserved the win purely based on the hard work and dedication he put into getting his titles back. The majority of knowledgeable folk in the fight game wrote AJ off and he showed he had the mental strength to prove them all wrong. Demons exorcised

Ruiz dissapointed massively and showed that the level,of fame, success and wealth he attained in such a short space of time doesn't always sit well with having to dedicate yourself 100% in order to stay at the top.

From this point on, I see Joshua continuing to have success though likely picking up more losses on the way as he's far from the complete fighter with obvious vulnerabilities but, he will always be very marketable and is carving out his own legacy now that he's a 2x champion.

Ruiz on the other hand, may very well fade into obscurity though he will be made for life and can be content that he reached the pinnacle of the sport, if only briefly.

 

Woomp, there it is!

 

Ruiz before: Fat clown that won the lottery fighting a glass jawed 'adonis'

Ruiz after: No change

Aj before: Decent boxer with power that likes to bully overmatched opponents

Aj after: Showed he had the cardio and discipline to run from a guy 50lb heavier and 5 inches shorter. Also looked wobbled every time he was touched

 

Ruiz didn't train properly but still fought well and showed great stamina considering the size of his belly.
AJ lost a load of that body building weight something I've said he should of done.years ago .showed good stamina and followed a plan .The problem is I think he's lost his bottle ! he didn't look confident at all wide eyed fearful .Most fighters and people in general after being taken apart in the first fight would want payback !! I don't mean going berserk but working behind the jab and taking over claim the center of the ring .AJ looked like he couldn't wait for the fight to end .Other HWs see what I see and will be licking their lips .

 

Joshua just trained harder for it and was more dedicated.
I still respect Ruiz, he is a very good fighter.
I like to see a Ruiz vs Parker rematch. If Ruiz loses some weight and gets back in shape, he wil have his revenge