Andy Ruiz Jr claims he’s only lost 3lbs since beating Anthony Joshua but is yet to reach his ideal weight
ANDY RUIZ JR claims he only weighs 3lbs less than when he defeated Anthony Joshua – despite images showing his stunning body transformation.
And the WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight world champion revealed he plans to shed a further 5lbs before his rematch with AJ.
The Snickers-loving Mexican shocked everyone when he toppled the Brit back in June at Madison Square Garden, weighing 19st 2lbs, flooring him four times to claim the straps.
He will give Joshua his shot at redemption in Saudi Arabia on December 7 and “The Destroyer” has been working hard ahead of the clash in the Middle East.
Just last week he sent boxing fans into frenzy after posing topless following a work-out, with many speculating on how much beef he has shifted.
And his nutritionist then revealed the star's new diet as he wants him "light" for the second fight.
But Ruiz Jr is adamant he has only lost 3lb so far but wants to make that 8lb come fight night.
Speaking to iFL TV, he said: “Right now it’s three pounds less (than the first fight with Joshua), I weighed in at 268 I think for Anthony Joshua fight - the first one and I’m planning to be at 260 for this fight.
“I don’t want to lose too much because I want to be strong, I want to feel good for December 7.
“A lot of people have been messaging me: ‘hey don’t lose too much weight, hey you’re going to be weak,’ I listen what we do inside the gym - we know what we’re doing and what we’re doing it for.”
Ruiz believes that Joshua has trimmed down in weight saying: “I have seen that he’s trimmed down, he lost a little bit of weight, I don’t know if that’s going to be good for him, but I’ve seen a lot of fights with him and he’s not good at boxing around, I know he’s been practicing but inside of the ring it’s different and it can’t be that quick to learn them skills.
“No matter what he has up his sleeve it’s my job for me not to do that you know.
“I think right now he’s a little pressured, I think he’s more focused on getting the belts back, I think he’s worried about other stuff, but I think he’s in it to win it.
“He would’ve of picked this fight for nothing, hopefully he brings it you know December 7th because I’m going to do whatever it takes to retain them belts.”
Fellow boxer Michael Hunter sent social media into meltdown when he shared a snap of Ruiz without his shirt on.
Alongside a snap of the pair in the gym, the caption read: "Elite Sparring. Saudi Bound! @Andy_destroyer1"
Ruiz, who once claimed he hopes to become the face of Snickers bars, smiled as he showed off his bulging biceps.
In response to the picture, one fan said: "Looks great! Almost like a cruise."
Another Twitter user joked: "Bro can you even make heavyweight? Looking trim."
And one fan simply said: "He's looking ripped."
HEARN DOUBTS
Despite the photographic evidence, promoter Eddie Hearn is convinced Ruiz has tricked fans into thinking he has lost weight.
Boxing icon Mike Tyson has claimed Ruiz's transformation will benefit Joshua on the night as he could lose power.
Fans were delighted to see the Mexican in the ring with Hunter - who will fight Alexander Povetkin on the undercard in Saudi Arabia.
Joshua has been sparring against rock-hard giants Traveller Tom Little to bully him into shape for the rematch.
Ruiz also issued an apology to Hearn for beating his No1 fighter - although he vowed to do the same again.
He added: “This is what we’ve been dreaming about, this is what I’ve been working for my whole life.
“I had the opportunity, I took advantage of it and I became the first Mexican heavyweight champion of the world, we made history and my dreams come true.
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“Everybody’s been doubting me, everybody’s criticising me just because the way that I look, I think I just needed that right moment, the right chance to prove who Andy Ruiz really is.
“So thank you Eddie Hearn for giving me this opportunity and I’m sorry for beating Anthony Joshua and that’s what we’re planning to do on December 7th again.
“So don’t get your hopes up because this chubby kid is training really hard.”