05-02-2019, 09:02 AM
Andy Ruiz rips Joseph Parker as he's confirmed to fight Anthony Joshua
Duncan Johnstone
New Zealand heavyweight boxer Joseph Parker consoles Andy Ruiz Jr after their Auckland fight in 2016.
Andy Ruiz Jr is still claiming he was robbed in his fight against Joseph Parker as the Mexican-American gets a second shot at a world heavyweight title after being confirmed as Anthony Joshua's replacement opponent.
Ruiz will look to become Mexico's first heavyweight champion after replacing Jarrell Miller as the opponent for unbeaten WBA, IBF and WBO titleholder Joshua.
Miller was withdrawn from the June 1 fight at Madison Square Garden after doping violations.
The 29-year-old Ruiz, who is based in California, lost a controversial majority points decision to Parker when they fought for the WBO belt in Auckland in December 2016.
That is his only loss in 33 professional fights and it sill grates.
"From the beginning he's had my belt … when I fought Joseph Parker it was for the WBO title, they robbed my fight going over there to his home town so technically AJ has my belt," Ruiz said, via a video released by promoters Matchroom.
Andy Ruiz Jr was adamant he had beaten Joseph Parker at the final bell of their 12-round WBO world title fight.
"I'm excited to claim what's mine, this is my chance and I'll do whatever I can to win and take that belt back to Mexico and the United States.
"I've got unfinished business with the WBO title because that was my first loss, I felt that they stole my fight. That was my chance to become the first Mexican heavyweight champion of the world and they took it away, so this time I'm gonna let everything go and get what's mine.
"He's the best one out there, he has all the belts besides the WBC, but I'm here to take what's mine and I'm here to pull out the upset. I've got to be focused, stay calm … it's time to make history."
Ruiz believes he can upset the odds and achieve his dream of being considered alongside some of the great heavyweights of the past.
"I want to be like [Mike] Tyson, [Evander] Holyfield, Lennox Lewis, I want to be in that category and this is my chance and I just can't wait," he said. "I'm going to throw combinations like I've never done before. A lot of people underestimate me and I'm used to that my whole life, but I'm not going in there scared or nervous.
"[Joshua] fights like a big robot, but with my style and speed he's not fought anyone like me so it's going to be a whole different ball game. I don't think he's good going back so I'm going to bring the pressure to him.
"When I do pull out this win, everything is going to change. It's going to mean everything."
Ruiz's last fight was 10 days ago, when he forced the fifth-round stoppage of Alexander Dimitrenko.
Anthony Joshua will put all his belts on the line against Andy Ruiz Jnr in New York.
Joshua has a 22-0 record, with 21 knockouts and was taken the distance for the first time by Parker in their unification fight last year.
Joshua hasn't fought since beating Alexander Povetkin at Wembley Stadium in September, and is making his United States debut.
Joshua sees Ruiz as a real threat and a worthy replacement for Miller.
"Similar styles, big and strong, very good with his punch selection and it's still going to go ahead at MSG on June 1,'' Joshua said of Ruiz .
"This is the next best shot ... who else is there? If anyone could name anyone who was better, then I was all ears. But when we looked at the scope of who was available, this was the next best one.''
Meanwhile, Joshua also has called for more stringent regulations for boxers who fail doping tests, saying the "random six-month ban'' handed to Miller isn't enough of a deterrent.
"If I carry a weapon of destruction, I'm going to get a certain amount of time in jail, so you know (the consequences of what will happen),'' Joshua told Britain's Press Association from his training base in Sheffield, England. "It's like, 'Why did he only get six months?' It should be, 'Miller's definitely getting this.' That's my opinion on it.''
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Duncan Johnstone
New Zealand heavyweight boxer Joseph Parker consoles Andy Ruiz Jr after their Auckland fight in 2016.
Andy Ruiz Jr is still claiming he was robbed in his fight against Joseph Parker as the Mexican-American gets a second shot at a world heavyweight title after being confirmed as Anthony Joshua's replacement opponent.
Ruiz will look to become Mexico's first heavyweight champion after replacing Jarrell Miller as the opponent for unbeaten WBA, IBF and WBO titleholder Joshua.
Miller was withdrawn from the June 1 fight at Madison Square Garden after doping violations.
The 29-year-old Ruiz, who is based in California, lost a controversial majority points decision to Parker when they fought for the WBO belt in Auckland in December 2016.
That is his only loss in 33 professional fights and it sill grates.
"From the beginning he's had my belt … when I fought Joseph Parker it was for the WBO title, they robbed my fight going over there to his home town so technically AJ has my belt," Ruiz said, via a video released by promoters Matchroom.
Andy Ruiz Jr was adamant he had beaten Joseph Parker at the final bell of their 12-round WBO world title fight.
"I'm excited to claim what's mine, this is my chance and I'll do whatever I can to win and take that belt back to Mexico and the United States.
"I've got unfinished business with the WBO title because that was my first loss, I felt that they stole my fight. That was my chance to become the first Mexican heavyweight champion of the world and they took it away, so this time I'm gonna let everything go and get what's mine.
"He's the best one out there, he has all the belts besides the WBC, but I'm here to take what's mine and I'm here to pull out the upset. I've got to be focused, stay calm … it's time to make history."
Ruiz believes he can upset the odds and achieve his dream of being considered alongside some of the great heavyweights of the past.
"I want to be like [Mike] Tyson, [Evander] Holyfield, Lennox Lewis, I want to be in that category and this is my chance and I just can't wait," he said. "I'm going to throw combinations like I've never done before. A lot of people underestimate me and I'm used to that my whole life, but I'm not going in there scared or nervous.
"[Joshua] fights like a big robot, but with my style and speed he's not fought anyone like me so it's going to be a whole different ball game. I don't think he's good going back so I'm going to bring the pressure to him.
"When I do pull out this win, everything is going to change. It's going to mean everything."
Ruiz's last fight was 10 days ago, when he forced the fifth-round stoppage of Alexander Dimitrenko.
Anthony Joshua will put all his belts on the line against Andy Ruiz Jnr in New York.
Joshua has a 22-0 record, with 21 knockouts and was taken the distance for the first time by Parker in their unification fight last year.
Joshua hasn't fought since beating Alexander Povetkin at Wembley Stadium in September, and is making his United States debut.
Joshua sees Ruiz as a real threat and a worthy replacement for Miller.
"Similar styles, big and strong, very good with his punch selection and it's still going to go ahead at MSG on June 1,'' Joshua said of Ruiz .
"This is the next best shot ... who else is there? If anyone could name anyone who was better, then I was all ears. But when we looked at the scope of who was available, this was the next best one.''
Meanwhile, Joshua also has called for more stringent regulations for boxers who fail doping tests, saying the "random six-month ban'' handed to Miller isn't enough of a deterrent.
"If I carry a weapon of destruction, I'm going to get a certain amount of time in jail, so you know (the consequences of what will happen),'' Joshua told Britain's Press Association from his training base in Sheffield, England. "It's like, 'Why did he only get six months?' It should be, 'Miller's definitely getting this.' That's my opinion on it.''
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