Riddick Blowe wrote: ↑02 Jul 2019, 10:19
Joshua will win the rematch in a straightforward manner.
I understand that AJ can always land early & end it, especially with a home ref jumping in, but Ruiz took AJ's soul every time AJ went on the attack. Ruiz won't all of a sudden get old, and AJ wont be able to learn the skills needed this quickly. His best bet is the Wlad & grab route, but he's not a Wlad kind of fighter.
The comment above regarding AJ 'needs some guts'. IMO, I believe AJ knew Ruiz just had his number that night, and there was absolutely nothing he could do about it, hence the relief look at the end. AJ knew he was beat that night, and the sensible option was go out standing as opposed to a devastating KO, which was coming.
There is no shame in admitting your are beaten by the better man, and then going away to try to figure out the puzzle. AJ showed heart get up every time, also in the Wlad fight. The final time AJ got up, the safest option, which the ref rightly chose, was to stop a clearly beaten fighter, taking on more potentially life changing damage.
The ball is in AJ's court now, but I really don't think he has an answer to Ruiz.
AJ cant just go bezerka, because Ruiz will catch him every time. And Ruiz has also proved his recovery powers are strong.
Can AJ be disciplined behind the jab? Last time he wasn't..
What if AJ is disciplined behind his longer jab, and waits for his chance to go for the kill, but then the smarter boxing IQ of Ruiz has already set him the trap? Remember, Ruiz has nailed that counter perfectly 4 times now...
So what 'can' AJ do? His only really sensible gameplan is a Wlad & grab ain't it really?
AJ might as well not bother lacing the right hand up, as ironically, it is his own right hand that will be his undoing. With that on his mind, will he turn into a 'David Price'?
So many questions.. Either way, it's an interesting rematch