If Dorticos does his homework, its completely winnable, but he'd need to learn to get on the bike. From what I have seen he does not really do that. He applies a constant measured pressure, and just throws up a guard when he's done punching. As much as I hate it, I'd pick Ruiz. Dorticos's style gives Fat Andy plenty of opportunities to throw some hard shots. It's all wrong for fighting someone bigger than you with a good punch. Ruiz stops him.
Not mandatory via stoppage. For long term ( 6 months and longer ) well motivated not lazy Ruiz might even win via UD vs Dorticos and prime Briedis. While I most likely had picked 30-33 y.o Briedis to KO these boxers: british Bellew ( even in his real prime LOL), Whyte and Chisora. British cards and hometown cocking & comments will not help here. Motivated Ruiz he will not go to beat.
Ruiz Jr is a really good pressure fighter (not far off Povetkin in his prime) who can also counterpunch. Good fast & heavy hands on him. Was able to drop AJ in the phonebooth. He can even outbox for points, too, as long as his opponent doesn't have a very long reach or is a dedicated "stick 'n move" type fighter. If Andy's newfound dedication to training is real - he has the edge on an aged 35 Dorticos, IMO.
Dorticos would get wrecked. The only way Dorticos knows how to fight is straight forward throwing his basic one twos which would play right into Ruiz strengths.
I don't think Ruiz would ever beat Briedis, Mairis is just too smart to to do that, he has excellent defense, great inside fighting, great jab, combinations as good as Ruiz and has one of the best rings IQs P4P.
Might happen. Briedis is even older than Dorticos, not alone Gassiev form this WBSS1 era. Lazy Ruiz ofc will not beat 30-33 y.o Briedis even if this was fight for his life. For long term motivated Ruiz I think does have real chances even to get decision win vs Briedis. Ruiz is very skilled and his skills are undervalued. Ofc if he will not be lazy.
Well, I didn't phrase it correctly! I don't think Ruiz has it in his skillset to beat prime Briedis. If Briedis moves up and fights a motivated Ruiz at 38 years of age, Ruiz would be the heavy favourite but Briedis' skillset is not that prone to aging quickly. Interesting fight to be honest, Briedis dealt with Usyk's trickery and speed very well, Ruiz has similar handspeed to Usyk but is more traditional in how he punches.
The problem with Briedis is that for me even Briedis from Dorticos fight did not had looked more than 90% Briedis and vs Glowacki he looked even in a bit worse shape. Doesn't looks that he beat with 100% anymore. Otherwise ofc he is legit A+++ level fighter. I think old now.
There's probably a few heavyweights and blown up puny cruisers that could outbox the blob on the outside. That's what makes the Joshua's loss even more pathetic. Going toe to toe with him though, I'd only think Joyce Miller or Kronk Fury could beat that blubber like creature!
So you are saying that Briedis can no longer reliably produce his best form at his age? If so, I agree.
Ruiz Jr vs Dorticos is a good matchup, would like to see it. Ruiz would be the favourite but Dorticos has a legit chance. 75/25 kind of fight in my eyes. Ruiz Jr. vs Briedis is much closer, explosive matchup , would love to see it. I would favour Ruiz a little , 60/40 type of fight.
