Anthony Joshua believes he has finally worked out how to negate Andy Ruiz Jr’s style and beat him in rematch
ANTHONY JOSHUA believes he finally has all the pieces in place to solve the puzzle of how Andy Ruiz Jr beat him.
The 19st Mexican was the rank outsider before dropping AJ four times inside seven Madison Square Garden rounds on June 1 and snatching his three heavyweight world titles.
Joshua had only signed up 6ft 1in Ruiz as the last-minute replacement for giant drug cheat Jarrell Miller, who was busted just five weeks out from the fight.
The smaller man turned out to be all wrong for 6ft 6in Josh’s long-range European style, so he has drafted in a short and stocky squad of sparring partners to make sure the Saudi Arabia rematch goes his way.
Promoter Eddie Hearn - who reckons Ruiz has tricked fans into thinking he has lost weight - said: “We always knew Ruiz was not the ideal style for AJ but you cannot go through your whole boxing career only boxing the style that suits you and avoiding whatever you find tough to handle, especially when you are the world heavyweight champion.
SUSSED HIM OUT
“It is difficult for a 6ft 6in guy to box a 6ft 1in guy who is very fast.
“The sparring this time around has been first class and AJ has been learning, he has got to solve the puzzle of beating Andy Ruiz.”
The 31-year-old Olympic 2012 hero drafted in an eclectic mix of talents to imitate Ruiz and whip him into shape.
Americans Timothy Moten and Andrew Tabiti were flown in for hard Sheffield rounds, alongside old friend Derek Chisora, 6ft 3in Traveller Tom Little and Germany’s rapid-handed Albon Pervizaj.
And Hearn hopes the percentages will now work in the Watford ace’s advantage, as he prepares to fly to the Gulf to acclimatise.
latest boxing news
The Matchroom kingpin said: “AJ will fly out around two and a half weeks before the fight. Training has gone well and he is just ready to fight.
“It just comes down to the night but his preparation this time has been on another level, for preparing specifically for Andy Ruiz Jr. But he still has to execute that on the night.
“In my opinion he should be beating Andy Ruiz eights times out of 10 but we need to hope this is not the second in a row.”