THE TRAINER who sensationally backed Andy Ruiz Jr to shock Anthony Joshua in their first fight believes the Brit will get his revenge second time around.
Joseph Parker’s trainer Kevin Barry was in the minority who predicted the Mexican outsider would inflict Joshua’s first defeat of his career in June.
Kevin Barry predicted Ruiz Jr to topple AJ in their first fightCredit: PA:Press Association
Kevin Barry, left, think AJ will bounce back from June’s disastrous fightCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
AJ was floored four times in total before the ref called off the fight in the seventh round.
Barry was in the corner when Parker beat Ruiz Jr in 2016 before losing to Joshua two years later.
Speaking to BBC, Barry revealed how he knew Ruiz Jr was a dangerous opposition despite the extra weight.
He said: “Andy was on TV coming off the plane, an overweight, short guy. I spent two weeks trying to convince the public that this was a fight against one of the toughest, most battle-hardened fighters at heavyweight.
“You take the mask aside – and by mask I mean the extra weight – and you have a man who was a good amateur and a man I’ve watched chop down big guys time and again.
“I took Parker to fight Joshua in Cardiff in 2018, so I had a front-row insight into that too. Parker has told me the hardest he has ever been hit was by Ruiz.
“I kept thinking about that and Ruiz had just been written off. So I made my opinion known.”
Joshua and Ruiz Jr go head-to-head on Saturday in Saudi Arabia with the Brit’s reputation on the line.
Another loss would tarnish his career but Barry insists AJ will come out on top after fighting with completely different tactics.
This time we will see more poise. I think Joshua wins the fight.
Barry on AJ’s fight tactics
He added: “Ruiz has the belts and everyone says once you become champion you’re 10 per cent better and I think that is a fair statement.
“But I think Joshua will fight a totally different fight. When he had Ruiz down, all he had to do was take his time but he ran in with the wrong punches and put himself there to be hurt.
“This time we will see more poise. If he uses his skills and controls the pressure, I think Joshua wins the fight.”
Joshua has drafted in a Mexican heavyweight sparring partner to replicate Andy Ruiz Jr to bolster his preparation.
Speaking to MailOnline another boxer who has been sparring with AJ, Timothy Moten, has revealed Elvis Garcia has been helping the Brit prepare.
Moten said: “There’s always a point in every Andy Ruiz fight where he reverts to that Mexican background and he is ready to bang, we saw that with Anthony Joshua in the first fight.
“When Joshua floored him, he was hurt and that Mexican style came out. Joshua has been sparring a Mexican heavyweight, Elvis Garcia, who is exactly the same.
“One time Garcia was hit with a big shot by Joshua in sparring and we all thought: “Wooh, is he out” but then he came firing back at him.
“So Joshua is learning to keep his composure, move his head, keep his guard up high even if he lands hurtful shots.”
Anthony Joshua says he hasn’t focused on his weight but on his boxing as he looks forward to Andy Ruiz Jr fight
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
