It may sound crazy but if AJ didn't acclimate enough for his first fight in US? He looked lost.

[apollo creed]

Yes AJ took a beating and he looked clumsy and clueless but if it was something about acclimatization /jet lagged?? He fought on a new ground on a different time zone from UK. Something wrong about his training preparation ?

[3132DW]

Yes AJ took a beating and he looked clumsy and clueless but if it was something about acclimatization /jet lagged?? He fought on a new ground on a different time zone from UK. Something wrong about his training preparation ?

He’d been in the US for around 3 weeks.

[Enlightened-One]

Yes AJ took a beating and he looked clumsy and clueless but if it was something about acclimatization /jet lagged?? He fought on a new ground on a different time zone from UK. Something wrong about his training preparation ?

AJ’s senses were scrambled for the remainder of the fight after being decked twice in the third round.

We saw something similar happen to Carl Froch after his first bout against George Groves.

Sometimes it takes fighters several rounds to recover from the trauma of being on the receiving end of knockdowns.

[KiwiRider]

AJ’s senses were scrambled for the remainder of the fight after being decked twice in the third round.

We saw something similar happen to Carl Froch after his first bout against George Groves.

Sometimes it takes fighters several rounds to recover from the trauma of being on the receiving end of knockdowns.

Same thing happened to Parker against Whyte after the head clash. It took Parker 9 rounds to come right. Before the head clash he was all over Whyte like Whyte was stuck in glue

[lazboy]

No doubt AJ isn’t the bees knees and much respect to Ruiz who’s a fighter through and through however AJ did not look his best. Consistency is boxing is very under appreciated. To perform at a expected level on a given night is not always possible. Preparation is generally key but even something like a sleepless night can significantly impact performance. I’ve heard that a sleepless night can affect cardio. (Don’t ask me for sources).

Maybe Ruiz just has AJs number and is the better fighter period. That’s not improbable. I however would like to see whether AJ can improve in a rematch.

Regardless of whether he under performed, AJs chin is an issue - your chin can’t just have a bad night. He doesn’t have a great chin.

[DrDuke]

Yes AJ took a beating and he looked clumsy and clueless but if it was something about acclimatization /jet lagged?? He fought on a new ground on a different time zone from UK. Something wrong about his training preparation ?

That's his regular problem when facing adversity. Nothing to do with acclimatization here.

[funso banjo baby]

the dude hadn't stepped into a ring in 8 months !
that's what's so crap about the modern game

AJ beat Povetkin fairly easily (with a small wobble in the first) way back in Sept 2018....then he grabbed the mike and wished everyone a happy Christmas and New Year !? even then I was thinking Jesus we're not going to see you again into way into 2019 sometime.

this is utter pants

in the old days a boxer would beat someone and then immediately announce the next fight.

I hate modern boxing

even when it was being mooted that Ruiz was stepping in to fight AJ a lot of people (myself included) were thinking , no way Andy's only just fought someone (April).

Like 5 weeks isn't enough time to prepare for a 'title' fight.

I would suggest Ruiz's freshness and activity had exactly the opposite effect to AJ who did indeed seem slow, distracted and basically couldn't remember what to do when someone takes your punches and then counters.


Fight Regularly you f****rs

[jujigatame]

As a fan I want to see the best guys fighting regularly but after watching that recent Ali documentary I worry about the long term effects of guys fighting 50-60 rounds per year.

[SenorPipino]

As a fan I want to see the best guys fighting regularly but after watching that recent Ali documentary I worry about the long term effects of guys fighting 50-60 rounds per year.

But I don't think anyone knows what a "safe" amount of rounds is. Or if the concept even exists.

Getting hit upside the head by other professional fighters, even if it's just 10 rounds per year, will always carry risk.

And every fighter is different. Some take years of punishment and avoid mental impairment in their later life.

Interesting that three Quarry brothers, Jerry, Mike and Robert all were brain damaged by middle age.

And Robert had a relatively minor career. Maybe DNA plays a role.