ANDY RUIZ JR has vowed he will become a champion once again and ‘prove haters wrong’ in his first social media post since being defeated by Anthony Joshua.
Just hours after he was easily outpointed to lose his heavyweight world titles, the Mexican-American admitted he had “partied too much” since his shock victory in New York.
Andy Ruiz Jr surrendered his heavyweight titles to Anthony Joshua on Saturday nightCredit: PA:Press Association
Eyebrows were raised at the weigh-in when Ruiz Jr tipped the scales at 20st 3lbs – and he was slammed by boxing greats for his lack of conditioning in the ring in Saudi Arabia.
However, the 30-year-old, who has already promised to be in the shape of his life if he is granted a third fight with the Brit, is confident of returning to the top of the division.
In an Instagram post shared on Thursday night, Ruiz said: “I’ve had time to reflect since my fight on Saturday. Congrats to Anthony. He did what he needed to do. Now, it’s time for me to do what I need to do.
“I’ll be back stronger. I WILL be a champion once again. I appreciate all the love and support from my true fans.
“I appreciate the haters as well and can’t wait to prove the haters wrong once again. Back to the gym. Let’s start this journey to the belts.”
I’ll be back stronger. I WILL be a champion once again. I appreciate all the love from my true fans and can’t wait to prove the haters wrong
Andy Ruiz Jr
Despite public criticism from Frank Warren and Deontay Wilder, Joshua expressed his sympathy for Ruiz earlier this week.
Speaking to The Athletic, AJ said: “Yeah, I (partied), everyone does it. The belts can be your best friend or your worst enemy.
“It just depends on you as a person. It’s hard to say no.
“When you are just steamrolling through the division, it is not so much a lack of motivation but a sense of normality that this is how it is supposed to be.
“It’s not all fun. This life of dedication, it’s a f***ing headache.”
However, any hope of Ruiz securing a trilogy fight is likely to be put on hold after Joshua was officially been ordered by the WBO to face Oleksandr Usyk.
Kubrat Pulev is next in line for the IBF belt while Usyk became the WBO’s next contender after he moved up from cruiserweight.
Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn is also believed to be trying to negotiate a meeting with either Wilder or Tyson Fury in 2020.
Andy Ruiz Jr says sorry for letting his fans down in heartfelt video
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
