LONDON. Side with Anthony Joshua to win his world heavyweight titles back when he faces nemesis Andy Ruiz Jr. in Saudi Arabia on Saturday…
The manner of Ruiz’s win in New York will have plenty of people siding with the Mexican-American
once again. He picked apart Joshua with ease after overcoming his early set-back in round three and
many won’t be able to look past when trying to predict the outcome of Saturday night’s titanic
tussle.
However, what unfolded in round three gives us cause for optimism that Joshua can make sure the
belts head back to Great Britain.
Everything was going according to plan for the Brit when he stunned and knocked down, Ruiz with a
powerful left hook. But in trying to finish the fight, Joshua was caught by Ruiz and sent to the canvas
for the first time since his bout with Wladimir Klitschko at Wembley.
It was an error that proved costly as Joshua never recovered. He was subsequently dismantled by his
opponent before the fight was waved off in the seventh round, but he will not make the same
mistake again.
On this occasion, expect Joshua to keep his distance from Ruiz in much the same way the Brit did in
securing a points win against Joseph Parker. That win back in 2018 wasn’t the most exciting
performance of Joshua’s career but it was calculated and composed, and it got the job done.
Many of the reports from Saudi Arabia suggest Joshua will come into this fight leaner and lighter
than the first fight in June. This also points to Joshua putting the emphasis on movement, like he did
against Parker in Cardiff, and it guides us in the direction of the Olympic Gold medallist winning by
Decision or Technical Decision at 7/2.
‘Skills pay the bills’ is a phrase often used in boxing and Joshua has proved in during his successful
amateur career and his 23 professional bouts so far, that he is a brilliant technical boxer. A difficult
night in New York doesn’t change that and if he can jab well, get his boxing going and stay out of
range of Ruiz’s quick hands, he could make it an easy night’s work.
Verdict: Anthony Joshua to win by Decision or Technical Decision – 7/2
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