Poor action by AJ! He just wanted those belts back and he fought ultra defensive!

[littlepug]

First, congrats to AJ on summoning up the 'right stuff', overcoming the nerves he must have been experiencing and implementing a fairly basic game-plan against Ruiz. However, I doubt whether Wilder or Fury will be losing any sleep. I'm a Brit so don't have any reason to criticise AJ. BUT I did think at the time that the Italian had won the Olympic title, and on re-view see that it was a tie with countback hingeing on the 3rd round, the only one AJ won. As well as having few fights as an amateur, it seems he started out as a body-builder. I've been saying all along that he should forget the weights -- which boxers in the remote past when I was young used very sparingly if at all -- and build up speed and stamina. He's making shedloads of money by being arguably the third best heavyweight in the world -- so good luck to him!

I’ve said for years that weights have no place in boxing training, I just don’t think it’s necessary at all, technique comes before everything so work on that above all else and cardio is an absolute must also. That aside Joshua did what he had to do to win so fair play but there was a sense that he was “fighting scared”, you can still box defensively without running but maybe that will come in time for him once his confidence has returned fully but the taller guy with a good jab has no business going backwards all night or at the very least should be holding ring centre, time will tell

[margaret thatcher]

Thought it was a pathetic display. It was Amir Khan-esque in the sense that was the last time i seen a boxer so terrified of being hit. How often he clinched was telling too, often he fell dangerously into clinches and allowed Ruiz to try to throw short on the inside with spots of success. AJ essentially admitted he can't bang with Andy Ruiz and got on his bike, his offensive success was little more than a few potshotted right hands that never really deterred Ruiz. Ultimately though, that gamepaln still required 12 rounds of discipline I didn't think he had in him - so fair enough. It was also Ruiz job to close the distance, which he was unable to do. I'm not sure being a few stone lighter would've helped him anyway, he's too short really to close the distance against a guy with AJs length, fully on the run.

I mean Rickster, it was a fight AJ couldn't win and the heavier the better for Ruiz, right? Pretty good performance for Josh considering

[Ricky]

Thought it was a pathetic display. It was Amir Khan-esque in the sense that was the last time i seen a boxer so terrified of being hit. How often he clinched was telling too, often he fell dangerously into clinches and allowed Ruiz to try to throw short on the inside with spots of success. AJ essentially admitted he can't bang with Andy Ruiz and got on his bike, his offensive success was little more than a few potshotted right hands that never really deterred Ruiz. Ultimately though, that gamepaln still required 12 rounds of discipline I didn't think he had in him - so fair enough. It was also Ruiz job to close the distance, which he was unable to do. I'm not sure being a few stone lighter would've helped him anyway, he's too short really to close the distance against a guy with AJs length, fully on the run.

I mean Rickster, it was a fight AJ couldn't win and the heavier the better for Ruiz, right? Pretty good performance for Josh considering

Weight would be an advantage for Ruiz if AJ had been man enough to have a fight. Props to AJ though, he was in with a better man, a tougher man with bigger cojones, so he. had to swallow his pride and run away. It took 36 mins of intense concentration to keep up the running. Did what he had to do i suppose. Hughie Fury could probably beat Ruiz like that too.

[IKSRTFO]

I mean Rickster, it was a fight AJ couldn't win and the heavier the better for Ruiz, right? Pretty good performance for Josh considering

Weight would be an advantage for Ruiz if AJ had been man enough to have a fight. Props to AJ though, he was in with a better man, a tougher man with bigger cojones, so he. had to swallow his pride and run away. It took 36 mins of intense concentration to keep up the running. Did what he had to do i suppose. Hughie Fury could probably beat Ruiz like that too.

The better man is the one who actually wins.

[Grant]

If pro fighter can take 40M without getting hurt then he should take it 10 times out of 10.. they have no obligation to anyone to risk life or limb.

[NateJR]

Yeah I'm not a fan of watching that version of AJ. I can't blame AJ for sticking to that game plan either, although I don't think it was a master class or this brilliant game plan. Everyone knew going in that AJ needed to box at range and avoid mixing it up on the inside with Ruiz. What was in question was AJs stamina and whether or not he could stick to that simple game plan.

At the end of the day AJ did what he needed to do in order to take his titles back home. But all the bologna about it being this brilliant game plan and master class is laughable. AJ didn't go above in beyond, he didn't even look that impressive doing it, he just so happened to have a guy in front of him that cooperated because his opponent simply didn't have the attributed or intangibles to negate it. Nothing more, nothing less.

[apollo creed]

Yeah I'm not a fan of watching that version of AJ. I can't blame AJ for sticking to that game plan either, although I don't think it was a master class or this brilliant game plan. Everyone knew going in that AJ needed to box at range and avoid mixing it up on the inside with Ruiz. What was in question was AJs stamina and whether or not he could stick to that simple game plan.

At the end of the day AJ did what he needed to do in order to take his titles back home. But all the bologna about it being this brilliant game plan and master class is laughable. AJ didn't go above in beyond, he didn't even look that impressive doing it, he just so happened to have a guy in front of him that cooperated because his opponent simply didn't have the attributed or intangibles to negate it. Nothing more, nothing less.

Good points. People act like AJ was some kind of RJJ in this fight. lol Joshua was just backpaddling hoping he doesn't get hurt. When Andy threw some good combos AJ was caught in that barrage of punches looking lost. Ruiz got lazy since he got those M's.

[danconnollyeire]

This forum has the dumbest posts

[Thomastearns]

I mean Rickster, it was a fight AJ couldn't win and the heavier the better for Ruiz, right? Pretty good performance for Josh considering

Weight would be an advantage for Ruiz if AJ had been man enough to have a fight. Props to AJ though, he was in with a better man, a tougher man with bigger cojones, so he. had to swallow his pride and run away. It took 36 mins of intense concentration to keep up the running. Did what he had to do i suppose. Hughie Fury could probably beat Ruiz like that too.

Both Fury's could. But then they're almost always boring to watch - the action if it ever comes in their fights comes from their opponents.

Thing is Joshua hardly ever fights like this and I'm certain it took a lot of persuading by his camp to make him stick to the plan. Credit to him that (unlike a certain Amir Khan) he was able to stick to it. Even better than Parker did it.

The right plan for this fight, but maybe this fight only. AJ isn't bad on the inside, but Ruiz is exceptional. Too good for Joshua - plus the better chin.

You could see, albeit for a few moments only on Saturday, what would happen if AJ decided to mix it. When he did he almost got seriously clipped again.

I doubt Joshua will be too bothered about having to avoid 'mixing it' with any of the others in the top 10.

Including Wilder.

In fact Saturday's performance will give them all something more to think about.

Ruiz meanwhile has been left exposed. Now not many will want to mix it with him and he will always have to chase.

[apollo creed]

Let's speak the truth! AJ got exposed by short-chubby Andy Ruiz Jr. Now Joshua is afraid to trade punches bc he is chiny. AJ's future opponents will salivate to fight him.

[cormack]

Wilder could have taken a fight with AJ for belts but chose Fury who he thought was washed up ...

Oh and he has been running from Whyte for long enough .

C'mon, that's fanboy talk.

I note your opinion , however it is just that an opinion ..

[apollo creed]

What about this:

Back in 2017, Joshua said, as per Boxing Scene: “Fury boxed twelve rounds and ran."

“I don't respect that. If I'm the King of Dubai in the olden days and a different empire comes to take my territory, you don't come and steal my treasure – that's what Fury's done I think.

“He stole the boxing from Klitschko in the sense that he just boxed and moved. If an up and coming king wants to take the king's treasure, you look him in the face and put the dagger in his chest. You don't stay from afar and slash, slash. You go to war and that is what me and Klistchko did."


Say what! Say what!

Actually King Fury really displayed some masterclass boxing and clowned a still good version of W.K! What Joshua did was to really run to not get caught by shot from Ruiz like it happened in their first match!

[Woldemar]

He fought like Wlad Klitschko.

[apollo creed]

He fought like Wlad Klitschko.

Poor's man W.K.

[handsofstone]

Its hard to believe people who would be a member of a boxing forum can have so little clue about the actual sport but I suppose that's what happens when you spend more time talking about promoters and networks and all that shite, fair enough it might not have been the most exciting fight but watching it live was pretty entertaining, I wont be watching it again like Fury/Klitschko but Joshua deserves props, it was the perfect tactics for that particular opponent, anyone who thinks Joshua should've been trying to purposely KO Ruiz would make a hopeless trainer

[oogiebe]

Its hard to believe people who would be a member of a boxing forum can have so little clue about the actual sport but I suppose that's what happens when you spend more time talking about promoters and networks and all that shite, fair enough it might not have been the most exciting fight but watching it live was pretty entertaining, I wont be watching it again like Fury/Klitschko but Joshua deserves props, it was the perfect tactics for that particular opponent, anyone who thinks Joshua should've been trying to purposely KO Ruiz would make a hopeless trainer

He won. End of story.

[gilgamesh]

Its hard to believe people who would be a member of a boxing forum can have so little clue about the actual sport but I suppose that's what happens when you spend more time talking about promoters and networks and all that shite, fair enough it might not have been the most exciting fight but watching it live was pretty entertaining, I wont be watching it again like Fury/Klitschko but Joshua deserves props, it was the perfect tactics for that particular opponent, anyone who thinks Joshua should've been trying to purposely KO Ruiz would make a hopeless trainer

Agreed. He fought exactly the fight he needed to fight. It's the fight I would've been advising him to fight if I were in his camp, and the result I picked because I anticipated that his team were surely as smart as me, and would devise a similar strategy.

[NateJR]

Its hard to believe people who would be a member of a boxing forum can have so little clue about the actual sport but I suppose that's what happens when you spend more time talking about promoters and networks and all that shite, fair enough it might not have been the most exciting fight but watching it live was pretty entertaining, I wont be watching it again like Fury/Klitschko but Joshua deserves props, it was the perfect tactics for that particular opponent, anyone who thinks Joshua should've been trying to purposely KO Ruiz would make a hopeless trainer

Agreed. He fought exactly the fight he needed to fight. It's the fight I would've been advising him to fight if I were in his camp, and the result I picked because I anticipated that his team were surely as smart as me, and would devise a similar strategy.

I'm with Gilgamesh on this one. AJ did what he needed to do and what just about anyone who witnessed the first fight knew he needed to do. AJ didn't reinvent the wheel, he actually dubbed himself down to the basics and won on simple fundamentals because he had a opponent that would cooperate if he boxed with those tactics.

I give AJ credit simply based on sticking to the game plan and winning. I wasn't completely convinced AJ had the stamina or dicipline to do that for a full 12 rounds. Just because he was able to accomplish that doesn't make it this master class performance though. It was simply not that impressive to witness, but it worked and he won so for that I can't criticize the game plan, just the execution based on how dull it was.

[drunkenpiper36]

I give Joshua credit. Coming back from a devastating defeat like that and having the mental fortitude to be up for the task isn’t easy. That and he forced himself to fight a style that he isn’t accustomed to. In the end he got the result he wanted.

[siablo14]

Let's speak the truth! AJ got exposed by short-chubby Andy Ruiz Jr. Now Joshua is afraid to trade punches bc he is chiny. AJ's future opponents will salivate to fight him.

red - it will make his future fights interesting. Afraid to trade got him the victory and will get him the victory again if he faces Ruiz in the future.

[Strutherhill]

Credit to AJ for overcoming anxieties that it might all go wrong again. He followed a basic, simple plan and outboxed a not-very-impressive, short, fat h/weight, with fast hands, some weight of punch and an ability to fight rough at close quarters. Let's keep a sense of proportion, however. We're not talking about Clay v Liston (the only fight before which Ali was nervous, according to Ferdie Pacheco, his physician) or Ali v Foreman. Before both fights many informed commentators believed Ali might be seriously injured.

[Ricky]

He fought like Wlad Klitschko.

Fought more like Hughie Fury or Billy Joe Saunders. With the exception of a few hard pot shots he had a total unwillingness to engage, horrible clinching and focused almost exclusively on that exit pivot out of range. Either Klitchko bro would've pulverised Ruiz into mush, not ran away like a chicken.

[apollo creed]

He fought like Wlad Klitschko.

Fought more like Hughie Fury or Billy Joe Saunders. With the exception of a few hard pot shots he had a total unwillingness to engage, horrible clinching and focused almost exclusively on that exit pivot out of range. Either Klitchko bro would've pulverised Ruiz into mush, not ran away like a chicken.

Spot on! Pretty much AJ was trying to evade the fight and he did it.

[Bard of Boxrec]

He fought like Wlad Klitschko.

Fought more like Hughie Fury or Billy Joe Saunders. With the exception of a few hard pot shots he had a total unwillingness to engage, horrible clinching and focused almost exclusively on that exit pivot out of range. Either Klitchko bro would've pulverised Ruiz into mush, not ran away like a chicken.

You’re on crack. You honestly believe Wlad would have fought any better? No chance in hell Wlad would have knocked out Ruiz, he would have held, spoiled, done his octopus impression, anything to fiddle through 12 rounds of pressure, which he hated. It would have been way uglier than AJ, who did a little holding but nothing on the scale of Wlad, who built his style around it.

You honestly think Wlad would have followed up on single shots enough to put Ruiz in trouble? He would barely let his right hand go at all.

As for Vitali, the guy’s lack of power meant he wouldn’t have come close to stopping Ruiz, he couldn’t even dent Chisora ffs, or finish off the corpse of Shannon Briggs.

Your hatred of AJ is making you misty eyed about Wladimir’s octopus reign of terror, while actually moaning about the very things Wlad did worse than anyone. Lol.

[Bard of Boxrec]

Fought more like Hughie Fury or Billy Joe Saunders. With the exception of a few hard pot shots he had a total unwillingness to engage, horrible clinching and focused almost exclusively on that exit pivot out of range. Either Klitchko bro would've pulverised Ruiz into mush, not ran away like a chicken.

Spot on! Pretty much AJ was trying to evade the fight and he did it.

If you’re new to boxing, that’s fine. We’ve all got to start somewhere. But maybe don’t ruin the forum by starting awful threads like this. There is even another similar one on the same subject, started by fellow cretin Boxtune. Maybe you could have blended in with that one and laid low , you know tested the water a little.