Big Fight Preview & Prediction: Joshua vs Ruiz Jr

Big Fight Preview & Prediction: Joshua vs Ruiz Jr 

The build-up to the latest appearance of Anthony Joshua has been far from smooth. When the original Wembley Stadium plan and the much-anticipated fights with Deontay Wilder, Tyson Fury and Dillian Whyte failed to materialise, plans changed.

The big American launch for Joshua was brought forward and Jarrell Miller was eventually chosen for the supporting role. But Miller decided he needed a little help and after 3 separate failed drug tests he was out, but sadly not for long.

Andy Ruiz Jr replaced him and Joshua has now arguably got a tougher fight in defence of his WBA, IBF and WBO titles.

Ruiz has fast hands, and despite his appearance has decent stamina, add his durability to the mix, and Joshua might be in for a tougher night than most predict. Ruiz failed in a previous attempt at the world heavyweight title losing a majority decision to Joseph Parker for the WBO version in 2016.

Many felt Parker was fortunate to get the decision, he was troubled by his opponent’s hand speed, and a strong finish very nearly gave us our first ‘Mexican’ world heavyweight champion.

Ruiz after an extended break has returned with 3 victories including a stoppage win as recently as April against Alexander Dimitrenko, despite the late notice call up, Ruiz will be as ready as he can be for the task ahead.

While some other contenders have made their excuses Ruiz has stepped up and grabbed the golden ticket, a life-changing decision with even greater riches, should he upset Joshua at the iconic Madison Square Garden in New York on Saturday night.

Ruiz will have been encouraged by Joshua’s last opponent Alexander Povetkin early success in their fight back in September. Povetkin eventually faded, the much younger Ruiz may not.

Ruiz (32-1) might just be in the right place at the right time, if Joshua, like most, see this as a mere formality. It’s the type of fight where one fighter has nothing to lose, the other has everything to lose.

Joshua (22-0) has talked about making a statement, no doubt trying to emulate what Wilder did to Dominic Breazeale a few weeks ago. But for me, it’s about just winning and moving on, big plans, big hopes can all end with one punch. Wilder and Joshua are different fighters, there are different ways to make your point.

The likes of Joshua, Wilder and Fury are gambling in waiting, the longer they wait to fight each other, the greater the risk of defeat, Joshua needs to be especially mindful of this against Ruiz.

Ruiz had success against Parker, and I can see him doing the same against Joshua. But Ruiz isn’t the most difficult of fighters to hit, and Joshua hits harder than Parker.

I see the fight going the same way as Joshua against Povetkin, some initial success for the challenger before Joshua gradually takes over.

With his greater reach and his underrated distance control, Joshua will limit any success Ruiz might have, the jab will set up what will come later. Joshua can be a patient fighter when he wants to, and I think that patience will be used against Ruiz.

Eventually, Joshua will start landing with more regularity and will be in control by the second half of the fight. Ruiz will keep coming, but will eventually succumb to the power shots from Joshua.

A stoppage win for Joshua looks likely with Ruiz being rescued by the referee in the 8th of a surprisingly good fight.

As for Joshua’s immediate future, forget fights with Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury, they are not happening. The likes of Oleksandr Usyk, Kubrat Pulev and Michael Hunter will be next. The frustration and the excuses will continue, and sadly we must get used to it. This era I fear will be remembered as what could have been.