Andy Ruiz Jr. is defeated by Anthony Joshua to reclaim the prestige of the world heavyweight title. Joshua is asked to plan a contest in heavyweight boxing with the other big names: "If Wilder and Fury and Ortiz are really happy, they're going to make the call... If you want to create history they know where we are. ”He seems more keen on a third fight with Ruiz though.
Six months after Ruiz's stunned boxing night, Joshua risked seeing his career left in tatters with a second defeat, but served 36 minutes of movement and timely punching to take the IBF, WBA and WBO titles back to Britain.
He never looked back after cutting his Mexican rival in the first round and picked smart jabs and right hands throughout before being serenaded by about 14,000 fans in the Diriyah Arena with chants of "AJ, AJ, AJ."
Joshua gained revenge for his nightmare in New York earlier this year, when he fell four times in defeat to Ruiz Jr, by winning a unanimous decision in their rematch and clawing back the IBF, WBA and WBO titles.
Joshua says this fight was his second favourite in his career. His victory over Klitschko was his No1 due to his respect for his opponent. Joshua makes a point of thanking the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and members of the royalty after his victory, which will not go down well with those who see this fight as little more than an exercise in sportswashing.
Joshua speaks:
First of all, I want to thank God. I want to say, man, the first time was so nice, I had to do it twice. A man like me don’t make no excuses, I’m used to knocking out guys. I said to myself I was going to correct myself. The sweet science of this sport is hitting and not getting caught. I’m hungry and I’m humble. Thank you to Andrew Ruiz and his family.
What a disciplined performance from Joshua, who kept his opponent at distance and was barely troubled by Ruiz. He shed 11lbs for the fight, looking for agility and speed over power. And it was that lightness on his feet that won the day..
Compubox says that 93% of the fight has been fought at distance, a clear advantage to the taller Joshua. I can barely remember a clinch so far. Joshua gets in a few hooks and for a moment breaks from the plan and darts in to do damage from close range. But he springs back before Ruiz can do damage.
Ruiz predicted that he’d let Joshua dance and jab for the first rounds before going in and causing damage, but the Briton hasn’t let him inside all fight ... so far. Joshua gets in close and delivers a blow to Ruiz’s body. It does damage but Ruiz will have no problem with the challenger getting in where he can do damage to him. Ruiz looks slow, and who knows how that extra 15lbs he’s put on since June will tell as the fight wears on.
https://twitter.com/DAZN_USA/status/1203444481477038081
More from Anthony Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn: “It's the individual, anyone around him knows he's the nicest bloke you could meet.
“Madison Square Garden was a humiliation, he went down four times – people wrote him off, said he had no heart, he quit.
“He went back, brushed himself down and went back to work to prove you all wrong.
“It was an absolute masterclass, a shut out, a way of boxing people didn't believe he could do.
“He taught himself to box like that, the discipline was incredible. All the things no one thought he possessed – that's because he's getting better.
“What heavyweight has resume like him? Give him respect, he has changed the face of boxing. A great individual with a big heart.
“I have represented Anthony since he turned pro. He is a very close friend of mine. The strength he has shown is unbelievable.
“When was the last time we had a role model like this? We should be so proud. An absolute role model for our country.”
On where his career will go next, Anthony Joshua said: “I don't know, I don't want to talk too much.
“A big mouth is not what people respect. Whatever we can do, I will do.
“Let the fans decide. We are up for anything.
“I'm made for this stage. Look at this, a purpose built stadium for a purposeful night tonight.”
Ruiz never looked close to landing a knockdown and when scores of 118-110 118-110 and 119-109 were read out, Joshua jumped up and down in the ring in celebration, just as the man who had wrecked his US debut did in June.
