Ruiz vs. Joshua II – Page 2 – Syndication Server

The Boxing Junkie Analysis: Andy Ruiz Jr. vs Anthony Joshua II

This much is certain: Rarely has a fight been more shrouded in doubt than the heavyweight title rematch between Andy Ruiz Jr. and Anthony Joshua on Saturday in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia on DAZN. Even the locale seems to have air of uncertainty: a …

This much is certain: Rarely has a fight been more shrouded in doubt than the heavyweight title rematch between Andy Ruiz Jr. and Anthony Joshua on Saturday in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia on DAZN.

Even the locale seems to have air of uncertainty: a makeshift, 15,000 seat arena pitched in the middle of the Arabian desert in a country that still ritualizes public beheadings. What could possibly go wrong?

Whatever happens, the burning questions that opened up like Pandora’s Box on June 1 will finally – one hopes – be answered when Joshua tries to reclaim his heavyweight belt collection from Ruiz, the underdog incarnate.

At stake are three of the four major titles and a possible title-unification fight with the winner of tentative Deontay Wilder-Tyson Fury matchup.

ANDY RUIZ JR. (33-1, 22 KOs)
VS. ANTHONY JOSHUA (22-1-0, 21 KOs)

Date: Saturday, Dec. 7
Location: Diriyah Arena, Diriyah, Saudi Arabia
TV: DAZN
Division: Heavyweight
At stake: Ruiz’s WBO, IBF and WBA titles
Current win streak: Ruiz, 4; Joshua, 0
Ages: Both 30
Stances: Both orthodox
Trajectory: Both at peak
Also fighting: Michael Hunter vs. Alexander Povetkin, heavyweights; Dillian Whyte vs. Mariusz Wach, heavyweights; Filip Hrgovic vs. Eric Molina, heavyweights.
Worth watching (up to five stars)? * * * * *

SKILL SET

Ruiz

The fact that Ruiz can throw rapid combinations without looking like a klutz already puts him at an advantage over most contemporary heavyweights. He has a solid jab, which he threw consistently at Joshua’s chest in the first fight, and is skilled at parrying, which allows him to get closer to his opponent to unload his combinations. He may not be the most elusive fighter, but Ruiz shifts his upper body as he comes forward, which keeps the opposition guessing. He also doesn’t tip his shots. And his footwork is underrated. Against Alexander Dimitrenko, Ruiz pulled off the so-called “Fitzsimmons shift,” in which one switches stances to land a punch.

Joshua

Although he is fundamentally sound – Joshua can put together short, concise punches on the inside – it’s evident that he came late to the sport. The criticism that Joshua is robotic is true to the extent that he seems to overthink his strategy in the ring. Joshua is the antithesis of a “natural” boxer like Ruiz, who picked up the sport early on and whose punches arise more out of muscle memory and instinct, rather than deliberation. Joshua’s trainer, Rob McCracken, recently insisted that Joshua’s best bet is to box on the outside. But one wonders whether Joshua, a puncher by trade, can keep that up for 12 rounds. Moreover, he looked uncomfortable working behind his jab and moving off the back foot from the opening bell in the first fight.

Edge: Ruiz

PUNCHING POWER

Ruiz

Nobody ever viewed Ruiz as a power-punching heavyweight. He has gone the distance with a fair share of undistinguished journeymen in the past. Still, as it pertains to Joshua, Ruiz knows he can hurt the man, and that’s all that matters in this case.

Joshua

There is a reason Joshua was a heavy favorite going into the first fight. He is a heavyweight who can crack with both hands. Ruiz may feel emboldened after absorbing some major leather early on in the first fight, but best not to test the chin too many times. Joshua will need to force Ruiz to respect his power this time around.

Edge: Joshua

EXPERIENCE

Ruiz

Ruiz has been boxing since he was a child and had a largely successful amateur career. That said, outside of the Joshua win, his professional resume is pedestrian.

Joshua

Though Joshua’s ledger includes victories over a trio of top heavyweights in Wladimir Klitschko, Joseph Parker and Dillian Whyte, nothing can disguise the fact that he picked up boxing at the late age of 18. His freakish power may have shored up some of his weaknesses, but he appears to be a fighter still learning on the job.

Edge: Ruiz

DURABILITY

Ruiz

Most fighters would have wilted after eating a right uppercut- left hook combination from Joshua, but Ruiz, who touched the canvas, was able to rebound. When Joshua followed up with a caterwauling straight hand, Ruiz didn’t blink. The Mexican, to be sure, has an iron chin.

Joshua
Though he is built like Adonis, Joshua’s chin has always been suspect, as evidenced in fights against Klitschko, Whyte and Povetkin. Ruiz merely confirmed it. Indeed, since the Klitschko win, his trainer has tried to mold Joshua into more of a finesse boxer, less open to heavy counters at close range. If only one could add muscle to the jaw …

Edge: Ruiz

INTANGIBLES

Ruiz

Ruiz may just have Joshua’s number. At the very least, he has the psychological advantage of having completely outclassed Joshua in the first fight. Recently, he said that there was not much he planned to change going into the rematch, and that makes sense. If it ain’t broke …

Joshua

When it was announced that Luis Pabon had been chosen to referee the fight, some observers viewed (groaned?) it as a clear advantage for Joshua. Pabon has a history of allowing fighters to clinch (see the Klitschko-Povetkin fight) while he breaks up the action. Holding, it should be reminded, is illegal in professional boxing, although it is rarely enforced. Pabon certainly has not shown much inclination to do so.

Edge: Ruiz

PREDICTION

The fight will play out similarly to the first fight, with Joshua moving tentatively around the ring as Ruiz stalks him. Joshua will have early success using his size and length to keep the shorter Ruiz at bay. Eventually, Joshua will begin to tire, as he customarily does, in the second half of the fight. Ruiz will turn up the pressure, cutting the distance to land quick-fire combinations against which Joshua will have little defense.

Ruiz TKO 8

Anthony Joshua vs. Andy Ruiz Jr.: odds, picks and best bets

Per BetMGM, Joshua (-250) is a moderate favorite to defeat Ruiz Jr. (+188) in their rematch Saturday in Saudi Arabia.

Andy Ruiz Jr. and Anthony Joshua will go toe-to-toe for Ruiz’s heavyweight titles this Saturday in a rematch of last summer’s stunner at New York’s Madison Square Garden. This time the two will duel in a 15,000-seat open-air stadium in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia, dubbed “Clash on the Dunes.” The main event is expected to start around 3:45 p.m. ET. This one comes at you via live stream on DAZN.

Joshua vs. Ruiz Jr.: What you need to know

Joshua (22-1-0, 21 knockouts) is looking for revenge after his shocking seventh-round loss to Ruiz (33-1-0, 22 KOs) in June.

Joshua was heavily favored in the first bout but was overwhelmed by Ruiz, whose historic upset rivals such other unforgettable stunners as Buster Douglas knocking out Mike Tyson, Hasim Rahman taking down Lennox Lewis and Corrie Sanders upending Wladimir Klitschko.

Ruiz beat Joshua with both speed and power, hurting him early and then going in for the kill after some tentativeness and a lack of recovery on the Briton’s part.

Ruiz isn’t an Adonis in terms of his physical attributes – and some might wonder about his endurance – but, as he demonstrated against Joshua, he’s all business and effective once he gets into the ring.

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Joshua vs. Ruiz odds, picks, tips, best bets

Per BetMGM, Joshua (-250) is a moderate favorite to return the favor against Ruiz Jr. (+188) on the 3-way betting line, with a draw (+3300) also a choice. You might want to avoid that, however, as it is extremely unlikely.

This has trilogy written all over it, and there are already some rumblings from the Ruiz camp that if Joshua scores the win, they would want a Joshua-Ruiz Jr. III bout. Expect that to happen.

Joshua probably will be a little more measured and less reckless than he was in the first fight, and you can bet he spent a lot of time on his defense. That might help the fight go a little deeper, although he will still be champing at the bit looking to repay Ruiz for the embarrassing defeat in June, too.

Joshua (+350) at full distance might not be a terrible play, but a wager on Joshua winning in Rounds 7-12 (+250) is a much better bet, and gives you more opportunity. He’ll get the knockout, and his belts back, and you can expect we’ll get a third installment of this series, too.

If you like Joshua for the KO/TKO/technical decision or DQ victory, BetMGM, you’ll have to lay a little money, but not much at (-125). A win on points by Joshua fetches a return of +350, which is a bit enticing, too. It’s a good bet, as mentioned above, to take the knockout instead, however. Joshua should be focused, determined and ready to return the favor. BetMGM has a special prop bet for those looking for the victory via KO or TKO, too.

If you feel the fight will go 12 rounds, with either fighter winning on points (+275), it is a bit of an intriguing play, but it went just seven last time, and Joshua should fire out of the box looking to end it sooner rather than later.

Are you new to sports betting? A $10 wager on Joshua straight up at -250 to win outright would return a $4.00 profit.

My recommendations are playing JOSHUA IN ROUNDS 7-12 (+250), while BETTING HIM STRAIGHT UP on the 3-way fight result line at (-250). I have a hard time seeing Ruiz beating him in two consecutive bouts, especially since that would eliminate the need for a third fight in this series. And let’s face it, boxing loves drama, and there would be none with another Ruiz win.

If you want some action on this title bout or other boxing matches, place your wagers at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and analysis, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

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Special feature: 10 unforgettable heavyweight rematches

Will the rematch between Andy Ruiz Jr. and Anthony Joshua join the most-memorable sequels in history? That’s no easy task.

The rematch between Andy Ruiz Jr. and Anthony Joshua on Saturday is as compelling as it gets because of their first fight.

Ruiz, a replacement opponent known as much for his paunch as his ability, pulled off one of the great upsets by putting Joshua down four times and stopping him in Round 7 on June 1 at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

Can Ruiz do it again in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia, the site of the rematch? Or will Joshua have made the necessary adjustments and avenge his career-changing setback?

Of course, we can only imagine whether Ruiz-Joshua II will live up to the original. Some sequels are as good or better than the first fight, some fall short.

Here are 10 heavyweight rematches – or third fights – that remain in our consciousness for reasons unique to each of the fights.

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Video: Anthony Joshua called loss to Andy Ruiz Jr. ‘learning situation’

Anthony Joshua says his loss to Andy Ruiz Jr. was a learning experience that has helped him grow as a fighter.

Anthony Joshua has called his stunning knockout loss to Andy Ruiz Jr. a “learning situation.”

Ruiz shocked the boxing world by putting Joshua down four times and stopping him in seven rounds in June to take the Englishman’s three heavyweight titles. They meet again Saturday in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia on DAZN.

Joshua said in a video distributed by DAZN that he’s a better fighter as a result of his first defeat.

“As long as I’m breathing, I’ve still got a second chance,” he said.

Joshua discussed his mindset with Chris Mannix of DAZN.

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Video: Andy Ruiz Jr. says he’s ready for Anthony Joshua

Andy Ruiz Jr. says he has worked too hard to lose his heavyweight titles in his rematch with Anthony Joshua.

Will Andy Ruiz Jr. be an enduring champion or go the way of Buster Douglas? We’ll get a better idea about that soon.

Ruiz stunned the boxing world by stopping Anthony Joshua in seven rounds to win three major heavyweight titles in June. He faces Joshua in an immediate rematch on Saturday in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia on DAZN.

Douglas turned in arguably the greatest upset ever when he knocked out Mike Tyson to with the heavyweight championship in 1990. In his next fight, he was stopped by Evander Holyfield. That was more or less the end of Douglas as an elite fighter.

“Of course, I don’t want these beautiful belts to go away,” Ruiz said at the final news conference before the fight. “Remember, I’ve been doing this since I was 6. It’s finally paying off, and no way I’m going let these belts go. I’m going to die trying and do anything that’s possible to get that victory.

“It’s been a long journey, long roller coaster in my life, and no way I’m going to let these go Dec. 7. Let the best man win.”

Ruiz discussed his preparations with Chris Mannix of DAZN.

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Andy Ruiz Jr. says he made no significant changes for Joshua rematch

Andy Ruiz Jr. said he has made minor adjustments but will be in the rematch the same fighter who stopped Anthony Joushua in June.

Andy Ruiz Jr. is doing exactly what a lot of people thought he should do after his demolition of Anthony Joshua in June: more of the same.

Ruiz stunned the boxing world by putting Joshua down four times before stopping him in the seventh round at Madison Square Garden in New York. His main objective for the rematch Saturday in Saudi Arabia has been fine tuning.

“The same thing,” Ruiz said when asked what he has done differently in this camp. “Training, making some adjustments, but we got all the tools, all the same things. So we’re focused mentally and ready for December 7.”

Many people have suggested that Ruiz (33-1, 22 knockouts) will have a massive psychological edge over Joshua (22-1, 21 KOs) in the second fight because of his dominance in the first one.

That’s not how the Mexican-American is approaching the rematch.

Andy Ruiz worked out with trainer Manny Robles in front of fans and media Tuesday in Saudi Arabia. Mark Robinson / Matchroom Boxing

“I could (have an advantage),” he said, “but I don’t want to underestimate any fighter because I respect every fighter that comes into the ring. We all risk our lives here to provide for our loved ones, so I’m just excited for Saturday to have a really good fight.”

And a really good victory.

“I didn’t want show off too much on what we’re working on,” he said. “I wanted to give a little mix there. We’ve been training really heard, working on different stuff, so (with) the speed, the pressure, the angles, everything we’ve been working on, hopefully December 7 we will get that victory.”

Anthony Joshua: ‘It’s been about being confident’

Anthony Joshua says he’ll be new and improved in his rematch with Andy Ruiz Jr. on Saturday in Saudi Arabia.

Anthony Joshua seemed to say Tuesday that we’ll see a different fighter from the one who was knocked down four times and stopped by Andy Ruiz Jr. in June. Joshua lost his three heavyweight titles that night.

They’ll meet against Saturday in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia on DAZN.

“I’m forever changing, that’s what training camp is about, evolution, like night and day,” Joshua said during an open workout. “I shed the skin from last time, re-built myself, and all I’m doing is going to win. That’s what I’m focused on.”

Many observers wonder about Joshua’s psyche after the way he lost to Ruiz, who said the Englishman quit.

Of course, we’ll see where Joshua’s mind is when he steps through the ropes but he’s saying the right words leading up to the fight.

Anthony Joshua and Andy Ruiz drew sizeable crowds to their open workouts on Tuesday in Saudi Arabia. Dave Thompson / Matchroom Sports

“It’s been about being confident, about knowing my capabilities,” Joshua said. “I’ve had a great training camp, I am well prepared, and ready to showcase my skills.”

Joshua (22-1, 21 knockouts) acknowledged that he has thought a lot about Ruiz (33-1, 22 KOs) and their first fight the past six months. Ruiz replaced Jarrell Miller as Joshua’s opponent after Miller tested positive for banned substances.

“He’s been on my mind five weeks prior to June 1 because that’s when he came in as my replacement, and he will be on my mind forever,” Joshua said.

And Joshua said fans should expect a third fight between them.

“If Andy Ruiz is dedicated to the game, we will see each other a third time down the line as well,” he said. “This won’t be the last time I see Andy Ruiz in the ring … because I think we make for good fights.”

Anthony Joshua trainer Rob McCracken: ‘There’s no room for error’

Anthony Joshua trainer Rob McCracken believes the best chances for beating Andy Ruiz on Dec. 7 is for Joshua to use his height and length.

Don’t expect Anthony Joshua to brawl when he faces Andy Ruiz in their highly anticipated rematch Saturday in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia on DAZN.

According to Joshua’s trainer, Rob McCracken, the game plan is for the musclebound Joshua to box the rotund, yet quick-fisted Ruiz on the outside. No senseless trading on the inside.

“Ruiz is an underrated world-class fighter, but if you’ve got the height and reach, like Josh, you must use it,” McCracken told The Guardian in a recent interview.

The approach makes sense, given Joshua’s troubles in the first fight. Joshua had dropped Ruiz midway through the third round and was looking to close the fight when Ruiz whacked him on the right temple with a hook on the inside. It led to the first of four knockdowns before Ruiz earned a stoppage in the seventh round.

McCracken has been criticized in some corners for negatively impacting Joshua’s style, converting the natural puncher into a safety-first boxer in the mold of Wladimir Klitschko. But McCracken, who has been with Joshua throughout his amateur and professional careers, believes the occasion rightfully calls for a bit of caution.

“There can be no fooling around,” McCracken said. “The minute you don’t, you’re open to quick, powerful hooks off these heavyweights. And Ruiz is one of the best.”

McCracken also pointed out that Joshua had some trouble with smaller, quicker heavyweights in the amateur ranks, and Ruiz fits that profile.

“(Joshua has) beaten numerous small, mobile heavyweights, and he’s lost to a couple of them,” McCracken said. “Sometimes fighters are just good. Ruiz has good technical ability. He can measure the distance. Knows how to defend. Got a half-decent jab, good timing and speed.”

McCracken said he respected Ruiz’s ability even before he pulled off the upset. In fact, the trainer admitted that Ruiz was not high on his list of possible opponents to replace Jarrell Miller, who was scheduled to fight Joshua in the summer but tested positive for PEDs.

“I wasn’t keen on Ruiz,” McCracken said. “I much preferred a couple of other opponents.”

Still, McCracken believes his man has the right tools to beat a path to victory – provided he follows the strategy to a tee.

“(Joshua) knows that if he does everything right,” McCracken said, “he’ll win, but there’s no room for error.”

Andy Ruiz Jr.’s assessment of Anthony Joshua: ‘I’m the more skilled boxer’

Andy Ruiz is confident going into his rematch with Anthony Joshua in part because he believes he is simply the better boxer.

What is Anthony Joshua’s biggest problem going into his rematch with Andy Ruiz Jr.? According to Ruiz, it’s very simple: He’s better than Joshua.

Ruiz put Joshua down four times and stopped him in seven rounds to shock the boxing world and win three of the four major heavyweight title belts in June in New York. They’ll do it again Dec. 7 in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia on DAZN.

“He’s going to try to make adjustments,” Ruiz told the U.K.’s Telegraph. “I don’t know if he wants to exchange punches, but I’d love for him to do that because I’m the more skilled boxer. He’ll try to box me round and use his jab. But for how long? How long can he keep me away from hunting him down? That’s what we’ve been working on most of all right now, heading into the fight.

“Fight fans are … going to see a lot of fireworks. If he knocks me down, I’m going to get up and knock him down. I know he’ll try to do the same if I knock him down. The main thing is to stay focused and disciplined.”

Ruiz, who went down himself in the first fight, said he’ll take nothing for granted in the rematch.

“I want to impose myself in this fight,” he said, “but I don’t want to overlook him. He’s still a dangerous fighter. I respect him and all the fighters who risk their lives inside the ring.

“He’s going to have some tricks up his sleeve, and it’s my job to not let that affect me. The main thing is pressure, throw combinations and use my speed. I can’t let him grow balls in there.”

Andy Ruiz Jr. vs. Anthony Joshua: No round card girls in Saudi Arabia

Promoters will not use round card girls for the Andy Ruiz Jr.-Anthony Joshua fight out of respect for the Saudi culture.

Those who watch the Andy Ruiz Jr.-Anthony Joshua rematch on DAZN will notice something different: no round card girls.

That boxing tradition, in which women hold up cards indicating the round that is coming up, has been scrapped by promoters out of respect for the culture of Saudi Arabia, where the heavyweight championship fight will take place on Dec. 7.

The Middle Eastern country requires women to be covered in public. Thus, scantily clad young women probably would not go over well.

The WWE, which held an event in Riyadh last month, had its women wrestlers wear modest clothing in the ring.

Women wrestlers dressed modestly during a WWE event in Saudi Arabia last month. Natalya is pictured here. Fayez Nureldine / AFP via Getty Images

“We need to be respectful of the cultures in the countries we perform in,” the WWE’s Stephanie McMahon said.

Ruiz (33-1, 22 knockouts) is scheduled to defend the titles he took from Joshua (22-1, 21 KOs) in June. Ruiz, a big underdog, put Joshua down four times and stopped him in the seventh round in New York.