Joshua External Issues?!

First of all, well done to the OP for discouraging the trolls and partisan gloating, it really is a pain reading through pages and pages of "my dad's bigger than your dad nonsense".

But yeah I thought exactly the same pre fight, I can't put my finger on what it was but something was definitely off. I wasn't the only one that noticed, was watching with a few friends and we all said the same thing. I think it was when he was doing that weird stuff with his gum shield. We all just kind of looked at each other with raised eyebrows, like that was weird.

Before some weird troll jumps on my statement. It's merely an observation, it's not some excuse or narrative or something. I like Joshua but thought he was poor and Ruiz was impressive and deserved the win fully, I was rooting for him after the 2 knockdowns in the 3rd, as the upset was an amazing story.

 

As far as I am concerned being a Pro with all at his fingertips AJ should not of had issues, if there were any. I do feel that with Wilders KO iapplied pressure for AJ to perform, and in Round 3 when he knocked Andy down he went all out and forgot about fundamentals. He then got rocked and knocked down himself.
Obviously there are just haters out there, but as any boxing fan knows fighters lose, its what they do after that loss that will determine them as a fighter.
This could turn out to be quite interesting as AJ will no doubt have several options. He could rematch Andy for his next fight, he could leave it and rematch Whyte and pay in to the WBC to get ranked and would significantly jump up in those rankings take another fight and get the Mando spot if WIlder still has the belt. He could even go for Pulev and after seeing what happened to him what fighter would not want to have a go.
At the end of the day AJ lost and he has to start again, the competition will no doubt see a weakness in him. And that is for AJ and his team to work on if he wants to hit the pinnacle of the sport again. Its just a shame that Wilder ran from facing him year after year.

 

A bit off topic, but I seem to remember that Golota used to seem as if he was about to have a breakdown before every fight. And he ended up having one or two mid fight as it was.

If Joshua does have some kind of ongoing issue ... him dealing with it might have a big impact on how his future career plays out. mind you ... his issue might be based on arrogance and thinking Ruiz would be an easy night's work for him.

 

I am no AJ fan but I do agree with the OP that something was off. Nobody is taking anything away from Ruiz I started cheering for him in the 3rd round. I think that AJ is not happy with his team even in the brief interview they asked him what was going on when he was getting counted by the ref and he said something along the lines of "I was just angry with my team" Part of me thinks that AJ has been brain washed by some people and they have him believing that he is something that he is not. AJ seems more occupied with being a celebrity than being a fighter. If he gets his head on straight I believe that he will win the rematch.

 

here's more material for the conspiracy theorists.

AJ handing over his belts to Ruiz, 2 days before the fight:

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why would he do such a thing?

AJ responding to Wilder's KO of Brazeale, seems in awe of his performance and even says Wilder is "on his way to becoming undisputed"

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is that something you should be saying about your opposition?

 

Not to mention, this is an odd line to say right after you lost your titles: "listen it is good for the TV. Good for DAZN and the people watching"

 

E.X.C.U.S.E.S

 

Yes, I noticed AJ looking and behaving weird indeed. I felt exactly like you watching it and was wondering what the hell was going on. It seemed he was detached, his mind not even there. Nothing like the confident showman of his previous fights.

 

First fight in America so he was nervous. The delay was because he changed his protective cup last minute. He felt pressure because of the recent Wilder fight. He knew that Ruiz was the sort of guy who could make him look foolish. Different climate than he’s used to. People underestimate the difference that time zones and climate can make to physiological functioning. There were also rumours about him partying the night before but I think that’s BS.

 

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Dave Allen is very perceptive in this interview

 

There's a good chance he was more nervous than ever because the pressure of it being his American debut.
But that would just confirm he's a front runner with mental weaknesses and a lack of confidence who simply doesn't match up to the likes of Tyson Fury (who seems to perform anywhere in the world.) ....... and that he's been protected somewhat by keeping him fighting in his comfort zone in the UK where everyone treated him as a hero from day one.

 

The excuses for this loss are entirely predictable though.
And the excuses will pile up and up.
So many people actually bought the story that Joshua was some sort of superman, they will never accept he could lose like that.

 

Not just the ring walk but there was no movement in the ring before the fight. No stretching or shadow boxing, no loosening his neck. Toward the end of the referee's instructions AJ looked into Ruiz's eyes. Not in an intimidating way or even sizing him up. It looked like he was trying to seek Ruiz's approval or aknowledgement . It was weird. After knock downs he looked at Ruiz with an embarrassed and weak smile. It was so odd. I'm not saying the fight would've panned out any different had these things not been happening but it sure was add.
Either way, hats off to Ruiz, I loved the fight he fought. He totally mastered Joshua.