ANDY RUIZ JR revealed he cannot allow Anthony Joshua to “grow balls” in their rematch, as he looks to again leave the Brit brokenhearted.
Ruiz defends his unified heavyweight titles against AJ on December 7 in Saudi Arabia, six months after scoring a stunning upset win in June at Madison Square Garden.
Andy Ruiz Jr says he cannot allow Anthony Joshua to gain confidence in their rematchCredit: AP:Associated Press
Joshua was dropped four times by Ruiz in their first fightCredit: Reuters
The underdog champion left Joshua in a world of trouble in round three, and went on to floor the 6ft 6in Brit star four times on the way to a round seven victory.
And Ruiz, 30, has vowed to again overwhelm AJ, also, 30, warning he will leave the challenger with no confidence in the ring.
He told The Telegraph: “I want to impose myself in this fight, but I don’t want to overlook him.
“He’s still a dangerous fighter. I respect him and all the fighters who risk their lives inside the ring.
“He’s going to have some tricks up his sleeve and it’s my job to not let that affect me.
“The main thing is pressure, throw combinations and use my speed. I can’t let him grow balls in there.”
Joshua floored Ruiz in round three before twice hitting the deck in the same session.
The 19st Snickers lover then systematically broke AJ down with body shots and combinations before Warford’s Joshua surrendered his WBA, IBF and WBO belts in the seventh.
And Ruiz has promised the same intensity in his pressure and power heading into the rematch.
He added: “If he knocks me down, I’m going to get up and knock him down. I know he’ll try to do the same if I knock him down.
“The main thing is to stay focused and disciplined.
Anthony Joshua claims its good he lost to Andy Ruiz Jr as now he has boxers queuing up to spar with him
“He is going to try to make adjustments. I don’t know if he wants to exchange punches, but I’d love for him to do that because I’m the more skilled boxer.
“He’ll try to box me round and use his jab. But for how long?
“How long can he keep me away from hunting him down? That’s what we’ve been working on most of all right now, heading into the fight.”
Joshua has vowed to bounce back and regain his heavyweight beltsCredit: Mark Robinson Ltd
Ruiz still as a fuller figure as he bids to retain the world heavyweight title he won in stunning fashion
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
