By Charles Brun: Anthony Joshua (23-1, 21 KOs) regained his IBF/WBA/WBO heavyweight titles in defeating his former conqueror Andy Ruiz Jr. (33-2, 22 KOs) by a BORING 12 round unanimous decision in their rematch on Saturday night at the Diriyah Arena, in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia.
The scores were 118-110, 118-110, 119-109. Boxing News 24 scored it for Joshua 118-110.
“This is about boxing. Im using to knocking guys out. There’s no excuses, right. I wnted to put on a great boxing masterclass, and I wanted to put on the sweet science. It’s about hitting and not getting hit. I’m humble in victory.
Despite winning, the fight was a disappointing one if you’re Joshua, because he failed to impress boxing fans. On social media, fans complains about Joshua spoiling and not being willing to make it even remotely entertaining.
Joshua spent the entire fighting moving, holding and jabbing. He rarely let his hands go, and gave Ruiz very few chances to land anything due to his movement.
Ruiz Jr. was cut over his right eye in the 1st round from a right hand by Joshua. In the 2nd round, Joshua was cut over his right eye in the second round.
“Who wants to see a third fight?” said Ruiz. “If we do a third fight, I’m going to get in the best shape of my life. It kind of affected me a lot. I thought I would be stronger and better. I don’t want to give no excuses. Joshua did a hell of a job. I think I was chasing him too much instead of cutting off the ring. Who wants to see a third trilogy fight in Saudi Arabia?” said Ruiz.
As boring as this fight was, it’s doubtful that we’ll see a third fight between Joshua and Ruiz anytime soon. Ruiz didn’t try hard enough for there to be any demand by the fans in seeing the two fight each other a third time. It can happen in the future, but it shouldn’t be anytime aoon. You have to wonder how the Saudis feel about whether a third fight should happen.
“Absoutely,” said Joshua when asked if he woud be willing to fight Ruiz a third time.
“Absolutely,” said Joshua when asked if he would be willing to fight Ruiz a third time. “I had to decapitate him in a different way. Andy beat me fair and square the first time, and I beat him fair and square the second time. Me and Andy will fight again. I’m not going to call their names.
“I’m going to make my name. That was my forth world championship. Come on, if you guys want to make history, you know where I’m at. Oh yeah, 100 percent,” Joshua said when asked if he’ll fight Ruiz a third time.
“It was a schooling,” said Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn about Joshua’s win.
