It looks like Joshua has trimmed down to give him a bit more movement in the ring and Ruiz has gone completely the other way. Joshua has shed 10lbs and Ruiz has gained 15lbs. It looks as though Joshua is going to be on his toes and try to tire the big Mexican out, as he surely can't lug over 20st around the ring for 12 rounds. Ruiz talked about wanting to improve his fitness and physique after his Vegas victory so this doesn't make sense. He obviously has quick hands as he showed in the first fight but he will surely be too slow to tag Joshua unless Joshua gets careless when he comes in to land his combinations which I cant see him doing as he knows that Ruiz can hurt him. I'm going for a Joshua knockout win inside 8 rounds as I just cant see Ruiz being effective at that weight.
I see another win for Ruiz. AJ had no answer to his hand speed and power, I'm not sure he's got enough about him to keep out the way again, this time. Ruiz to finish him even quicker.
I expect Joshua to win as now focussed properly but would not be surprised to see a similar result to last time.
Ruiz weighing in at 20st is pretty mad, like he's just gone full down the 'I don't give a ****' route.
I can't call it. Ruiz is a better puncher than AJ and Joshua needs to keep away from the inside - he needs to fight like Fury - effective without being dazzling (Fury IMO is the bestheavyweight "boxer" in the world btw - but not always great to watch - much like the Kltschko's weren't) If Joshua can stay out of the inside he'll win. If Ruiz lands another of those punches he won't. As @Simple Saffy knows much more about this subject than I do - I will maybe go with him!!
I think Joshua took the first fight too easily, Ruiz looked like the Michelin man and not some hard hitter, this time he knows who Ruiz is and what he fights like. Surely that's why he has done less fitness and body conditioning and more sparring and bag work, he has come to box not fight.
There is a documentary about Joshua v Ruiz on the BBC tonight at 11-30 tonight UK time, I saw it a couple of days ago and it was worth 45 minutes of your time with quite a few old boxers giving their opinion on what happened that night in Vegas. The only downside of the program is Stallone and Dolph Lundgren also give their opinions, WTF as if they can offer more to the program that Tyson, Holyfield, Buster Douglas and Sugar Ray Leonard can. A good watch all the same.
It was always coming with AJ. He's never looked champion material, completely different league to Fury and Wilder. So many times he leaves himself open to the counter by not keeping his guard up when he's letting off his jab, cross. I think this is where Ruiz will win it again. We've seen him knocked down a few times, as well. I see him as very suspect, not elite and too much hype.
Pretty accurate assessment that AJ needs to concentrate on his boxing skills instead of his physique. He seems to put too much emphasis on staying in shape and it makes him a bit robotic, imo. He could do with loosening up. Fury has never been in the sort of shape AJ gets into, but as you say Fury is undoubtedly the best boxer in the world. He's so light on his feet and his swaying and movement just isn't what we are used to with heavyweights. I'm not sure AJ can stay out of Ruiz's way and outbox him for 12 rounds without getting caught. His best line of defence may very well be attack in this rematch and that turns into a punchers fight. They've both got serious power and it could be over quickly if one them lands it.
I e read that AJ has been awesome in sparring then I’ve read that he has been floored. Wtf ? He needs to box at length, move around the ring, jab and get away, clinch in the in fighting. If he does that he will win. If he loses concentration and goes for a slug fest he won’t. He needs 100% concentration. One thing that did bother me was hearing AJ talking about Joshua/ Ruiz 3 before we’ve had 2. Why do that ? Is it dangling a carrot ? Is it saying to Ruiz lose this one and you’ll be made for life ? I can’t call it but will go with Ruiz in 4. He’s bulked up to go for the kill quickly. If that doesn’t happen he may have problems. Hope AJ wins.
I think boxing is unique in that's the definition of a physical sport but you can be massively overweight and still beat a mountain of muscle if you've got the ability. I can't think of any other one on one sports like it. Makes you wonder how good Ruiz could be if he trained like Joshua. I fancy Joshua to win because he won't underestimate him this time but I think it'll be on points and be very close. Also not to sound cynical but if Joshua wins they've got an extremely lucrative decider
Aye but they're both fat bastards in that, it'd be like if Peter Crouch could out sumo the lot of them because he's just that good.
9pm uk time which is a twat fir me as I’m gigging!! Rally wanted to watch it with my boy. He’s joining the boxing gym soon and loves watching fights.
Cheers. Sods law that mate. Can you record it and watch it with him tomorrow? Avoiding the result will be a bugger though.