Had Ruiz showed up for the AJ rematch...

Doubt it.
Safety first approach in boxing has almost always proven the superior style for the ones that can pull it off. That's why it has become the US and Cuban house style.

 

This, Joshua did a great job playing keep away, were fat Andy more aggressive, Joshua simply would've teed off more.

 

He would have definitely done a lot better. The reason he won the first fight was his combinations and speed. Relying on one power shot is what he did in the rematch and as a result, he walked around like a sandbag all night.

 

It was quite evident that Joshua came in hurt, or injured in the first fight. His reflexes were off, and he was hurt by shots that didn't effect him the second time around. The argument with his dad and Hearn. It was obvious he didn't want to be there and wanted to end it early, but he was already dazed before he was caught in the 3rd. His low guard was not something I've seen him apply right at the start of the fight. Judging from his reaction in the loss, and how comfortable he was in the rematch. The first fight was nothing to do with Ruiz's conditioning, because he was cut open from the first meaningful shot the bodybuilder thrown.

 

Nah, the way AJ turned up for the rematch would've always been bad news for any version of Ruiz.

Either way, the bloke turned up for the biggest fight for his life not in optimum fight shape so the end result is his own fault. All he had to do was dedicate 10-12 weeks of his life to a proper camp and he wasn't dedicated enough to do so.... more fool him.

 

We will never know. It was a pretty easy fight for AJ cause all he had to do was stick and move without fear cause Ruiz Wasn’t attacking. Even in the post fight interview Ruiz said he was tired was and trying to reserve energy. Can AJ keep up the sprints for 12 rnds if Ruiz was able to apply constance pressure?

 

He would of agreed but if he was under more pressure then he starts unraveling like last time, his tank ain’t big enough if he’s under pressure to go 12 with out gassing. His movement was made comfortable for him because Ruiz was slower second time around on his feet

 

Joshua's team basically thought they could come in at 30% , and stand toe to toe with a guy that has a David Tua like chin, and KO him before 5 rounds. Ruiz was stupid coming in heavy, but judging from the Parker fight, even at 255 he weren't good enough to outbox a superior taller boxer. Joshua coming in at 238lbs made it even worse, but he could have done the same at a heavier weight. He was hurt coming in the first time around. But he's not gonna speak out against his promoter who brings him the cash.

 

What happened before the first fight?? Sparring ??

 

I think I heard two possible explanations, Joshua was Koed in sparring and still suffering the effects and/or Hearn has said that there was a medical issue which was subsequently identified and resolved.

Course they're not mutually exclusive. Both or neither could be true. We'll likely never know, but it certainly seemed he was ill at ease n the night as chico said above.

 

I honestly think the occasion got to him, but you can’t take anything away from Ruiz, he took Joshua’s best, got up and hammered him. Joshua come in with a not very confident game plan in the return, I honestly think if Ruiz was dedicated in training for the return and fit it would’ve been a repeat, longer but Ruiz imo would’ve got it

 

Hard to say, Ruiz caught him a few times ans AJ looked uncomfortable when he did but Ruiz wasnt in shape enough to put enough pressure on him to see if he could get him in trouble.

How much of that was down to AJ and his plan though, guess well never know. Ruiz cant use that as an excuse, it was up to him to stop eating snickers.

 

Eventhough AJ won the rematch, Ruiz was the superior boxer in that match. AJ was running away from Ruiz all night long. Ruiz caught AJ several times and hurt him bad. If only Ruiz came more forward, he would KO and retire AJ.

 

Theyres an interview just after fight 2 on the Bunce podcast where he explains it. Says he needed an operation for a problem but was all sorted before fight 2.

Doesnt say what for and brushes it off as an excuse.