Boxing: George Foreman Believes Andy Ruiz Jr. Can Redeem Himself Given These Conditions

Boxing legend George Foreman keeps his confidence on Andy Ruiz Jr.’s ability to redeem himself from an embarrassing rematch loss to Anthony Joshua last week in Saudi Arabia, but he is not to be confused as his belief lies on the condition that the Mexican-American be disciplined enough to shed some pounds before stepping back to official scales, and not force a third fight with Anthony Joshua.

In an article published in SB Nation’s Bad Left Hook, writer Michael Woods confirmed that the 70-year-old former two-time heavyweight champion indeed believes in the bounce back genes of Ruiz Jr., saying that “he (Ruiz Jr.) can redeem himself.” Woods also added while quoting Foreman’s exact words, “He needs to be 265 or so, and can probably ‘outpoint anyone in the business. He can do it, yes he can do it.’”

When he said “outpoint anyone,” the 1968 Olympic Gold Medalist was certainly clear that he is not sold on a trilogy between Ruiz Jr. and Joshua. “Don’t go there,” he said.

The Hall of Famer obviously spoke from experience when he told Woods, “Ruiz disappointed a lot of people, all with the knife and the fork.” George Foreman was once the “big” fighter who struggled not just inside the ring but with the recurrent temptations of money that comes with it. Andy Ruiz Jr. appears to be that guy right now, and all that Foreman hopes is for him to immediately realize the value every penny he earns from a fight card payday and the investment in shape in conditioning that will keep the returns from flowing.

“The money started to rain in. I’ve been there, you don’t know what to do, you can ask, and it’s delivered to your door the next day, anything you want. And of course, you fall prey. The silk pajamas and the banana splits will kill you quicker than a boxer, and that’s what happened to Ruiz!” the American boxing great said, before sending a statement about how people would stay where the stash of cash is and leave when there is nothing left.

“Friends will put you down quicker when the zeroes start to disappear,” he said. “You don’t know money, money slips away. I’ve seen it pass me by. He will see it pass him by.”