Boxing: Andy Ruiz Jr. Should Get Into Shape To Deserve Third Fight Against Anthony Joshua Says Analyst

Andy Ruiz Jr. got served with the ultimate boxing demo on Saturday in Saudi Arabia as Anthony Joshua exacted revenge over the Mexican-American heavyweight champion, winning via convincing unanimous decision to regain the WBA, WBO and IBF titles of the division. It was a total domination for the British champ that analysts quickly gave a thumbs down on a possible trilogy after what they perceive was an utter lackluster showing from Ruiz Jr.

James Slater of East Side Boxing said that unless Andy Ruiz Jr. gears up to be in a better fighting shape, a third meeting with Anthony Joshua is not something fans should look forward to. He mentioned next that the 6’6 Joshua should be fighting Deontay Wilder or Tyson Fury instead, saying that either card “is far more exciting, interesting and needed” in the heavyweight class.

“There is already talk, some of it from Joshua, of a third fight, but does Ruiz deserve a third fight and the massive payday that would come with it? If he wasn’t going to put the work in for the crucial, must-win rematch – a fight that, had he won it, would likely have seen Ruiz go on to earn untold riches in super-fights with Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury – why should we believe Ruiz will do so for a third go with the man who so comprehensively outboxed him yesterday?” Slater said.

“In an ideal world, shouldn’t Ruiz get back to work in the gym, have a return fight to show he’s serious, and show up in accordingly good shape, and THEN call for a third fight with Joshua? Shouldn’t Ruiz have to earn it? In terms of what’s best for the heavyweight division, fans will surely agree with me and say a Joshua-Wilder and/or a Joshua-Fury fight is far more exciting, interesting and needed compared to Joshua-Ruiz III,” he added.

Andy Ruiz Jr. pulled off one of the biggest upsets in boxing history when he defeated Anthony Joshua via seventh-round TKO stoppage in their first meeting last June at the Madison Square Garden in New York. The loss marred Joshua’s previously undefeated record of 22-0. But since then, the shorter but hefty Ruiz Jr. admitted to be enjoying himself a little too much than what he was just supposed to, and even said that he “didn’t prepare like I should have," prior to the rematch.