Fascinating rematch; pivotal crossroad for AJ. If Ruiz bests him again, he'll never be regarded the same. If he wins, perhaps sets up a trilogy (depending on how competitive it is) - or finally may set up the Mega Fight w/ Wilder. Fury-Joshua also would be on the table as an intriguing all-Brit blockbuster.
I'm learning more about the venue selected for the fight - in Saudi Arabia:
This is an important moment to bring Saudi Arabia into American consciousness for its human rights violations and menacing presence in the region. Questionable selection of a venue IMO - and I think a movement to boycott this fight would stand on solid footing.
1. "RE: Joshua v. Ruiz II" In response to Reply # 0
Not caring all that much about a rematch. Even if Joshua were to win, this won’t put him back at the top of the HW division. He doesn’t deserve a fight with Fury or Wilder.
3. "depends on how much Joshua has learned" In response to Reply # 0
if he stops admiring the punches he lands expecting Ruiz to fall over, and follows up or at least is ready for the punches coming back, he should be favored to win
Tiger Woods Member since Feb 15th 2004 18385 posts
Fri Dec-06-19 02:01 AM
5. "I was at the first fight, best live sporting event of my life" In response to Reply # 0
What a night that was
If Joshua doesn’t find a jab, use distance, and work combinations then he may be toast. Greater than Ruiz’s power is his hand speed, he’s shockingly fast for his frame.
Going to Saudi Arabia is so chickenshit. To me it feels like a way to grab cash and protect Joshua at the same time - have their cake and eat it too. No big pressure to perform in front of a raucous partisan crowd (which hurt him at MSG), and no need to be accountable to a curious media (who likely won’t make the trip in big numbers). And that’s before you even consider how awful it is in general. For all of these reasons I hope Ruiz plays spoiler again and bursts the bubbles of Eddie Hearn and Anthony Joshua once more.
I’ve done a 180 on Joshua and have realized he isn’t made of the same stuff Fury and Wilder are made of. I don’t even think a victorious outcome in this fight will change that opinion. He’s fragile in spirit.
Is what we tend to do when it comes to sports, specifically boxing. There's a part of me that wants to say no matter what happens Joshua is chinny and the last person he wants to fight is Deontay Wilder. The fight has now lost its luster. But Deontay Wilder, owner of the most destructible right hand ever, is just a knockdown away from having a loss on his record. The other part remembers that upsets happen in boxing. Especially when men weighing way over 200 pounds are competing and one of them lands a solid punch. People wanted to write off Lennox Lewis when he was stopped by Oliver McCall. And subsequently by Hasim Rahman. Lennox is a Top 5 Heavyweight of All Time as far as I'm concerned. So what he does not have an iron chin.
Joshua is sti We've seen him hurt several times and we've seen him come back to stop people several times. He has to feel like his career is at a crossroads and I expect to see the best of him this weekend. As for the future, we will just have to wait and see. ll young and can improve. I expect him to beat Ruiz decisively
11. "I'm surprised by how many are picking Ruiz" In response to Reply # 0 Fri Dec-06-19 06:13 PM by Vex_id
Many are questioning AJ's resolve - and understandably so. He really didn't look like he wanted to be anywhere near that first fight.
But I just don't see Ruiz striking gold again. Joshua seems to have had a really committed camp, cutting down to a very efficient and built-for-speed physique - and seemingly more focused on endurance (his stamina has been poor).
Also - with so much $ at play in this fight ($50 millions USD site fee in Saudi Arabia?!) - it seems that if there ever was a time where a guy could be goaded into taking a fall, this would be the night lol.
High Society Member since Oct 13th 2003 7375 posts
Fri Dec-06-19 08:09 PM
12. "Ruiz might have quickest hands, best combos in division." In response to Reply # 0
I think AJ overrated and Ruiz underrated. Whoever wins controls the landscape of the division. Seems like Ruiz won and got straight back to work. He better get the KO though... cause if it goes to cards... He prolly gets fucked even if he won convincingly despite no KO.
14. "side note: As gifted as Joshua is, I don't think he loves boxing" In response to Reply # 0
I think he loves the scale of boxing on the biggest stage - the gladiator glitter - and the pomp and circumstance surrounding a mega HW championship bout.
I fully expect him to avenge his loss today - but I don't know that he will have the resolve and desire to wage a long title reign - especially when/if he runs into a guy like Wilder who has both the gift & the will.
18. "Damn he boxed beautifully" In response to Reply # 0
Much respect to him. He came and did what he was supposed to do. Whether he can "dig deep" when necessary is still a question, but preparing yourself in a way where you don't have to is an elite strategy.
19. "He really did put on a boxing clinic. " In response to Reply # 18
I know that some people are going to be upset at the performance because they wanted to see a knockout - but this was a really impressive performance by AJ, showing versatility and unleashing a new layer of skillset that we hadn't seen before. He boxed circles around Ruiz (although that wasn't necessarily a tall order considering Ruiz was woefully out of shape, even for his standards).
But the way AJ remained steadfast and disciplined in his gameplan was very impressive. It reminded me of the days when Steward took the helm for Lewis and/or Wlad Klitschko - transforming them from sluggers to exquisitely disciplined purveyors of the sweet science.
I actually think AJ's chances against Wilder raised after this fight - because it's plausible that he could replicate what Fury did in terms of boxing masterclass - though I still think Wilder's will, range, and historic punching power will win the day. But I greatly respected the science AJ displayed against Ruiz, who didn't stand a chance against this version of AJ.
20. "not all that impressed honestly" In response to Reply # 0
he had a good gameplan against an out-of-shape smaller boxer. he's gonna have to dig deep again and find another gameplan vs Wilder/Fury, because that diving in for a clinch shit is not going to work against a taller fighter
Printer-friendly copy 
Email this topic to a friend
Okay Sports
(4 votes)
(1 votes)
(1 votes)
