Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr. The main event will be on at around 10pm Nigeria time, as we understand it, but in the meantime we have all the build-up, and also the undercard.
Dillian Whyte vs Mariusz Wach should be a highlight of that, Whyte has served up some excellent fights in his time, including one against Anthony Joshua in 2015 where he landed a shot on AJ in round two that the big man didn’t enjoy much, and winded him laster as well, but Joshua got it done in the end.
Joshua comes into this fight, of course, with questions about his tactical nous and his defensive abilities. I personally think he has proven his heart and courage when he came back after being floored by Vladimir Klitschko to win that career-high night. The career low, of course, was defeat to Andy Ruiz in June. Is AJ too easy to hit?
At the weigh-in, AJ was 16 stone 13 and Ruiz was three pounds north of 20 stone, that’s a stone more than he weighed when he beat AJ. I cannot see that’s a good sign for Andy. But people learned to their cost that underestimating a man based on how he looks is a bad, bad idea. If you think you know how this is going to turn out, then we have some Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr free bets for ya.
Although you’ll be doing well if you match Joshua’s earnings for his night’s work: apparently he is getting 70 million British pounds. Wowser. Ruiz walks away with a mere £13m, but that’s still a massive, exponential increase on the coin he was making prior to his sensational triumph.
And here is the tale of the tape.
Ruiz strong with the counter punch, getting inside with the choppy shorter hooks if AJ loads up clumsily for the long bomb.
Ruiz quick hands and longer reach than his appearance suggests, was able to back Josh across the ring.
JOSHUA VS RUIZ JR – ROUND ONE
Ruiz is the aggressor from the off, looking to be the man on the front foot.
The Mexican is flapping in the desert wind – he’s definitely bigger than June 1 but the hand speed still seems to be there.
A cautious first round from Joshua, who is staying back and looking to work the jab. He doesn’t land much in this opening three minutes, instead looking to conserve energy and not let Ruiz get close.
WHAT A RIGHT HAND!
A glorious shot from AJ with 15 seconds left of the round.
It landed flush on the left eye and the cut opens up – instead of piling in, Joshua moves back and doesn’t leave himself open.
June 1 has taught him a lot.
JOSHUA VS RUIZ JR – ROUND TWO
That cut means the Mexican has to respond and now Joshua can continue to stay at range, jabbing away.
“He’s boxing brilliantly here, it’s a lovely fluid jab. It’s so quick”, screams Bellew.
JOSHUA VS RUIZ JR – ROUND TWO
JOSHUA CUT! When Ruiz got in close, there was a bang of heads and there’s a small cut above AJ’s left eye.
But the Mexican’s gash is far worse and his team are struggling to stop the flow of blood.
“Keep on the jab, keep your hands up.”, say AJ’s corner. Sound advice – it’s working a treat so far.
JOSHUA VS RUIZ JR – ROUND THREE
Out comes Ruiz for the third with a hastily patched up left eye, but he’s blinking and looks like his vision is impaired.
If AJ can open that cut again, it could be a real problem for the champ.
This is a different Joshua, who is boxing clever and being incredibly disciplined. Still he stays on the jab, Ruiz is chasing but can’t get in close to do any sort of damage.
“It is so disciplined and so measured”, croons Bellew. Joshua in control early doors.
JOSHUA VS RUIZ JR – ROUND FOUR
This is a gameplan and a half from AJ and Ruiz needs to be the one who changes the tide in this fight.
As yet, the Mexican is still trying to get close but apart from that head clash we’ve not seen a lot.
Joshua isn’t trading at close quarters, not opening him up to the power that Ruiz stunned with on June 1.
JOSHUA VS RUIZ JR – ROUND FOUR
Much, much better from Ruiz though in the latter stages of the round.
The Mexican going with a big right hook which gets through the defences, whistling past AJ’s ear.
Here comes the pressure from the champ, so Joshua responds with a huge, straight right hand.
NAUGHTY shot around the back of the head from Ruiz late in the round, Joshua’s legs just stiffened slightly. The bell comes at the right time.
Breathless stuff in the desert.
JOSHUA VS RUIZ JR – ROUND FIVE
The latter stages of that last round showed Joshua that there is plenty of danger from Ruiz, who continues to walk forward.
He’s style is so languid and effective that he doesn’t tend to tire.
AJ has to remain disciplined going into the final minute of this round…
JOSHUA VS RUIZ JR – ROUND FIVE
Superb right hand from Joshua and the crowd loving that, as he finds his range again with the big jab.
His jab has been brilliant so far, as Ruiz tries to get close in the latter stages.
AJ retreats and gets the bell comfortably. You get the feeling that Ruiz needs to turn this into a dog-fight if he’s to force a mistake.
JOSHUA VS RUIZ JR – ROUND SIX
It’s starting to heat up!!
Early in the sixth and for the first time, both fighters plant their feet and trade hard – nothing really lands clean, but Joshua’s steely gaze never left Ruiz.
There is a small cut on Ruiz’s other eye, nowhere near as bad as on the one above his left…
JOSHUA VS RUIZ JR – ROUND SIX
Glorious punch from Joshua who is again behind the jab, before a lovely straight shot through the defences.
Square in the face.
“This is a masterclass from Anthony Joshua”, says Bellew. Frustration coming out now from Ruiz, who is booed by the crowd for another slap round the head.
As it stands, AJ is in control of this fight and the Mexican needs a Plan B. Fast. The camera pans to Canelo, who looks concerned for his man – and so he might be.
JOSHUA VS RUIZ JR – ROUND SEVEN
Will it be lucky number seven for AJ less than six months after that horror round at Madison Square Garden?
Ruiz is given a ticking off by the ref for ANOTHER shot on the back of the head. He has to go for it…
JOSHUA VS RUIZ JR – ROUND SEVEN
Ruiz just seems to absorb shots, it must be like hitting a big Play-dough.
The Mexican is struggling now, starting to gas and trying to take risks – someone is going to get lucky with one of these big right hands.
We get to the end of the seventh and into unknown territory when it comes to this pair.
If you’re just joining us, AJ is ahead on our card. He’s boxed clever and the champ needs something big to turn this one around in the second half of the fight.
JOSHUA VS RUIZ JR – ROUND EIGHT
Nice little body shot from Ruiz, who looks to have changed tactics and go for Joshua’s torso.
He has to do something else, before another punch on the top of the head from the Mexican.
AJ is fuming at that and the referee gets involved – he can’t let that get to him…
JOSHUA VS RUIZ JR – ROUND EIGHT
RUIZ IS PILING IN BIG!!
Here’s the twist, no way does Ruiz let these belts go without an almighty scrap.
A big right hand to the body, another big left to the chin. AJ though takes the hits – and is able to escape.
MUCH better round from the Mexican. That one goes his way.
JOSHUA VS RUIZ JR – ROUND NINE
We’re getting towards the championship rounds and AJ is under pressure here.
“GET BACK ON THE JAB!”, scream the Joshua corner. He has to keep up his discipline…
JOSHUA VS RUIZ JR – ROUND NINE
In response to Ruiz stalking his every move, AJ is moving his feet and trying to evade for the rest of the ninth.
He did a lot of good work early in the fight and on our card is still ahead – but Ruiz is looking for that big right hand over the top.
If one of those connects, this fight could be turned on it’s head. Three rounds to go – and Ruiz’s cut has re-opened.
A thrashing. ONCE AGAIN THE HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION OF THE WORLD!!
ANTHONY JOSHUA WINS!!!!
