If Wilder uses his jab, he'll probably beat Ruiz

"Wilder hasn't got a jab"

Wilder-Stiverne 1 (UD12)

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Wilder-Arreola (RTD8)

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Chakhkiev-Wilder (10-11 PTS)

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Stiverne and Arreola were much shorter and stubbier but still longer than Ruiz. They had similar footspeed and were durable but Ruiz has less punching power. Stiverne and Arreola got schooled by Wilder's jab.

Ruiz lost a controversial MD to meek stubby light punching backfoot Parker and lost a wide UD (albeit while a stone overweight and in a big ring) to a backfoot Joshua.

Wilder can win this fight with a jab à la Stiverne 1 or with the more conservative Ortiz 2 tactics of waiting to set up a flush right hand.

 

I'm picking damaged goods twice thrashed Wilder to KO3 Ruiz.

Ruiz went from underrated to overrated, and Wilder has gone from overrated to underrated.

Everyone wanted Wilder to be the #1 or 2 heavyweight, the most dangerous puncher etc. until it was Fury who got to eat up all the acclaim of demolishing him. The same thing happened with "dark horse" and "avoided" Dillian Whyte prior to Fury one punch kayo'ing him.

The troubles Wilder had in Ortiz I look like nothing compared to the life and death battle Ruiz was just in with a significantly diminished version of the same fighter. Same story with Arreola.

I think Wilder can keep Ruiz at bay and deliver a bomb before Ruiz can close the distance and really work. The movement Wilder showed in the Helenius round spells trouble for Andy "Slowest Feet in the Game" Ruiz Jr.