Andy Ruiz Jr picking Fury to beat Joshua

By Boxing News - 02/23/2021 - Comments

By Max Seitelman: Andy Ruiz Jr is leaning towards master boxer Tyson Fury defeating Anthony Joshua when the two fight for the summer’s undisputed heavyweight championship.

Ruiz (33-2, 22 KOs) says Joshua (24-1, 22 KOs) has never fought a big heavyweight with the boxing skills of WBC champion Fury (30-0-1, 21 KOs), and he sees his awkward style giving him problems.

Joshua’s last performance against Kubrat Pulev in December didn’t wow Ruiz, who felt underwhelmed after watching it. Since his loss to Ruiz in June 2019, AJ has changed his fighting style, and he’s not the aggressive fighter he once was.

For Joshua to beat Fury, he’s going to need to raise his game and bring more of the old brawler back. Trying to out-box Fury could prove to be a mistake on Joshua’s part because he’ll be giving away his strengths, which is his power and speed advantage.

Ruiz Jr is with a new trainer Eddy Reynoso since his loss to Joshua in December 2019, and he’s planning on fighting in April. Although Ruiz isn’t saying who his opponent will be, Chris Arreola is the guy he’s expected to face.

Ruiz Jr  more dedicated with new trainer

“It’s a blessing being over here. It’s a lot different from my last camp where I was training,” said Andy Ruiz Jr to Little Giant Boxing. “And it’s all focus, all dedication. Plus, you got Canelo, Ryan [Garcia, Oscar [Valdez], all these motivated people that help you want to grow.

Image: Andy Ruiz Jr picking Fury to beat Joshua

“It’s like competition in there. We’re all trying to be the best, but we’re helping each other out. So much love to everybody, you know?”

“Discipline, dedication, and training f*** hard, man,” said Ruiz when asked what he learned since adding Eddy Reynoso as his new trainer.

Being around all those great fighters has got to be a huge source of motivation for Ruiz, who was missing that in the past. Training in the same gym as Canelo Alvarez, Oscar Valdez, and Ryan Garcia will make Ruiz better.

Fury beats Joshua says, Ruiz

“I think that’s going to be an interesting fight,” said Ruiz when asked about the Joshua vs. Fury fight. “I’ve fought Anthony Joshua, but I haven’t fought Tyson Fury.

Image: Andy Ruiz Jr picking Fury to beat Joshua

“Tyson Fury has a weird style. He’s tall and fights tall. I don’t know. I kind of see Tyson Fury winning that fight.

“And I wasn’t too impressed with Anthony Joshua’s last performance,” said Ruiz Jr about Joshua’s win over Kubrat Pulev last December. “He got the job done, and he’ll move on to the next.

“I think Tyson Fury might get it; you never know,” said Ruiz Jr in picking Fury to beat Joshua. “You know, it depends on how awkward he [Fury] is and if he boxes. I don’t think Anthony has fought anybody that boxes and moves around, so we’ll see about that,” said Ruiz.

Fury has a good shot of winning if he can keep Joshua from landing his power shots. That’s not going to be easy for him to do because Joshua has the speed and quickness to land. What’s different about Joshua is he throws combinations, and he’s not someone that is only throwing one shot.

That’s how Deontay Wilder and Wladimir Klitschko both fought Fury. They tried to hit him with single power shots, and they couldn’t land. Tyson would tie them up in a clinch after they missed or counter the with short, clubbing punches.

Ruiz Jr wants Joshua vs. Fury winner

“Of course,” said Andy Ruiz when reminded that he’s in on the conversation of fighting the winner of the two Joshua vs. Fury fights. “Once they see me in my April fight, everything is going to change.

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“Everyone is going to see the dramatic change of mind, and from my team and all that. It’s exciting; I can’t wait to get in the ring.

“I’m not saying who I’m going to fight yet, but it’s going to be an interesting fight. I don’t know, maybe, yeah,” said a smiling Ruiz when asked if it’s going to be Chris Arreola that he faces next.

If Ruiz looks good in his next fight in April, there will be a huge demand for him to take on the winner of the Joshua -Fury fights in 2022.