ANTHONY JOSHUA has sympathised with Andy Ruiz Jr after the dethroned heavyweight champ admitted “partying” had cost him in his defeat to the Brit.
And AJ has admitted staying disciplined and true to the sport can be a “f***ing headache”.
Anthony Joshua had some commiseratory words for defeated challenger Andy RuizCredit: Getty Images – Getty
At a purpose-built stadium in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia, 20st 3lbs Ruiz was comfortably outpointed by Joshua as the belts came back to Britain.
Speaking after the fight, Ruiz Jr admitted “three months of partying” had killed his dream of making it back-to-back victories over Joshua.
And the newly-crowned WBA, WBO, IBF and IBO world champ can see how and why Ruiz took his eyes off the prize, admitting to have done the same himself.
Speaking to The Athletic, AJ said: “Yeah, I (partied), everyone does it. The belts can be your best friend or your worst enemy.
‘IT’S A F***ING HEADACHE’
“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.”
SunSport reported earlier today how Ruiz Jr admitted his diet had gone out the window prior to the rematch.
He told TMZ Sports: “I think I ate everything… EVERYTHING… that’s why I gained so much weight. I was having too much fun, I was celebrating too much.
“Just being with my friends and just celebrating. Drinking a few more Coronas than I should have.”
The Mexican-American added: “Even out of shape, even the way that I was training back and forth (between Mexico and California)… f****** , I did pretty good, dude! I did pretty good!
“But, I wish I had taken it more serious. For the third fight, I’m gonna give it all I got. I want those belts back.”
Inside Anthony Joshua’s celebrations as he chants ‘can I get a two-time’ after Ruiz win
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
