12-08-2019, 02:58 PM
Andy Ruiz Jr v Anthony Joshua II: Experts slam Ruiz's weight gain
Anthony Joshua took his revenge over Andy Ruiz with a clinical display.
Andy Ruiz Jr has been slammed for entering his failed heavyweight championship defence against Anthony Joshua out of shape after failing to fire a shot in Saudi Arabia.
Ruiz shocked the world six months ago when he stopped Joshua at Madison Square Garden to capture the IBF, WBA, WBO and IBO titles.
But it was a completely different story on Sunday as Joshua dictated terms from the opening bell with a masterful boxing display to record a lopsided unanimous decision.
While the portly Ruiz has always been criticised for his appearance, he went into the rematch weighing 128kg - seven kilos heavier than the first fight and the heaviest he's been since his first two pro fights in 2009.
Ruiz's camp suggested the weight gain was a careful ploy to overwhelm a leaner Joshua but, after watching his performance, many experts weren't buying it.
Long-time ESPN analyst Teddy Atlas was particularly scathing as he took aim at Ruiz's lack of output.
Please Mr. Ruiz don’t pretend with 30 secs left that you want to fight, you had 12 rds to go get inside and fight. What time is Shake Shack open to in Saudia Arabia?
"Please don't insult us by saying you put the weight on because you thought you would be stronger. But I will give you credit for one truthful statement, yes you are a hungry fighter."
Former two division champion Andre Ward, who retired in 2017 with a perfect 32-0 record, said it was clear Ruiz did not have the willpower to back up his previous performance.
Andy Ruiz blew a big opportunity in the Middle East. He said he would die in the ring to keep his belts. It didn’t take all of that, it just took the discipline and courage to push the plate back and deny himself, to put himself in the best position to win. He couldn’t do it.
— Andre S.O.G. Ward (@andreward) December 7, 2019
Congrats to Anthony Joshua for mentally bouncing back and fighting a controlled disciplined fight. The style of boxing “they” say no one wants to see, seems to always be the answer in the end. Hit and don’t get hit !
— Andre S.O.G. Ward (@andreward) December 7, 2019
"Andy Ruiz blew a big opportunity in the Middle East," Ward tweeted. "He said he would die in the ring to keep his belts. It didn't take all of that, it just took the discipline and courage to push the plate back and deny himself, to put himself in the best position to win. He couldn't do it."
After the fight Ruiz even admitted he gained too much weight, which former super-middleweight champion Caleb Truax said was inexcusable.
"I didn't prepare how I should have and I gained too much weight, but I dont want to make no excuses."
Literally the 2 most despicable excuses in boxing you can make. #RuizJoshua2 #boxing
— caleb truax (@GoldenCalebT) December 7, 2019
The American tweeted: "'I didn't prepare how I should have and I gained too much weight, but I dont want to make no excuses.'
"Literally the 2 most despicable excuses in boxing you can make."
Other were more sympathetic to Ruiz, who suffered just the second defeat of his career after being out-pointed by Kiwi Joseph Parker for the WBO crown in 2016.
The Mexican-American's win over Joshua in New York was one of the greatest upsets in boxing history and completely changed his life overnight.
British cruiserweight great Johnny Nelson told The Telegraph his preparation suffered as a result.
Andy Ruiz was seven kilos heavier than the first fight against Anthony Joshua.
"I think Ruiz's life changes after that win in June. If I give you 15 million quid that is going to change you, your motivation, your lifestyle. And then when you see him come in at 20 stone... I think that is the thing about the true champion, staying motivated," Nelson said.
Meanwhile, Joshua was widely praised for a disciplined performance that improved his record to 23-1.
Former WBC heavyweight champion, England's Frank Bruno told The Sun Joshua fought the perfect fight under the circumstances.
"Sometimes being a warrior can get you into trouble," Bruno said. "When you lose people find all excuses to bring up to the table. But sometimes people have got to eat that humble pie. He's returned his title, the title comes back to Briton and the world's his oyster."
Ward added on Twitter: "Congrats to Anthony Joshua for mentally bouncing back and fighting a controlled disciplined fight. The style of boxing "they" say no one wants to see, seems to always be the answer in the end. Hit and don't get hit!"
Anthony Joshua took his revenge over Andy Ruiz with a clinical display.
Andy Ruiz Jr has been slammed for entering his failed heavyweight championship defence against Anthony Joshua out of shape after failing to fire a shot in Saudi Arabia.
Ruiz shocked the world six months ago when he stopped Joshua at Madison Square Garden to capture the IBF, WBA, WBO and IBO titles.
But it was a completely different story on Sunday as Joshua dictated terms from the opening bell with a masterful boxing display to record a lopsided unanimous decision.
While the portly Ruiz has always been criticised for his appearance, he went into the rematch weighing 128kg - seven kilos heavier than the first fight and the heaviest he's been since his first two pro fights in 2009.
Ruiz's camp suggested the weight gain was a careful ploy to overwhelm a leaner Joshua but, after watching his performance, many experts weren't buying it.
Long-time ESPN analyst Teddy Atlas was particularly scathing as he took aim at Ruiz's lack of output.
Please Mr. Ruiz don’t pretend with 30 secs left that you want to fight, you had 12 rds to go get inside and fight. What time is Shake Shack open to in Saudia Arabia?
"Please don't insult us by saying you put the weight on because you thought you would be stronger. But I will give you credit for one truthful statement, yes you are a hungry fighter."
Former two division champion Andre Ward, who retired in 2017 with a perfect 32-0 record, said it was clear Ruiz did not have the willpower to back up his previous performance.
Andy Ruiz blew a big opportunity in the Middle East. He said he would die in the ring to keep his belts. It didn’t take all of that, it just took the discipline and courage to push the plate back and deny himself, to put himself in the best position to win. He couldn’t do it.
— Andre S.O.G. Ward (@andreward) December 7, 2019
Congrats to Anthony Joshua for mentally bouncing back and fighting a controlled disciplined fight. The style of boxing “they” say no one wants to see, seems to always be the answer in the end. Hit and don’t get hit !
— Andre S.O.G. Ward (@andreward) December 7, 2019
"Andy Ruiz blew a big opportunity in the Middle East," Ward tweeted. "He said he would die in the ring to keep his belts. It didn't take all of that, it just took the discipline and courage to push the plate back and deny himself, to put himself in the best position to win. He couldn't do it."
After the fight Ruiz even admitted he gained too much weight, which former super-middleweight champion Caleb Truax said was inexcusable.
"I didn't prepare how I should have and I gained too much weight, but I dont want to make no excuses."
Literally the 2 most despicable excuses in boxing you can make. #RuizJoshua2 #boxing
— caleb truax (@GoldenCalebT) December 7, 2019
The American tweeted: "'I didn't prepare how I should have and I gained too much weight, but I dont want to make no excuses.'
"Literally the 2 most despicable excuses in boxing you can make."
Other were more sympathetic to Ruiz, who suffered just the second defeat of his career after being out-pointed by Kiwi Joseph Parker for the WBO crown in 2016.
The Mexican-American's win over Joshua in New York was one of the greatest upsets in boxing history and completely changed his life overnight.
British cruiserweight great Johnny Nelson told The Telegraph his preparation suffered as a result.
Andy Ruiz was seven kilos heavier than the first fight against Anthony Joshua.
"I think Ruiz's life changes after that win in June. If I give you 15 million quid that is going to change you, your motivation, your lifestyle. And then when you see him come in at 20 stone... I think that is the thing about the true champion, staying motivated," Nelson said.
Meanwhile, Joshua was widely praised for a disciplined performance that improved his record to 23-1.
Former WBC heavyweight champion, England's Frank Bruno told The Sun Joshua fought the perfect fight under the circumstances.
"Sometimes being a warrior can get you into trouble," Bruno said. "When you lose people find all excuses to bring up to the table. But sometimes people have got to eat that humble pie. He's returned his title, the title comes back to Briton and the world's his oyster."
Ward added on Twitter: "Congrats to Anthony Joshua for mentally bouncing back and fighting a controlled disciplined fight. The style of boxing "they" say no one wants to see, seems to always be the answer in the end. Hit and don't get hit!"