DEONTAY WILDER has mocked Anthony Joshua for claiming that he lost his first fight to Andy Ruiz Jr because of a ‘lucky punch’.
Back in June Ruiz Jr delivered one of boxing’s biggest ever shocks to floor AJ three times on the way to a seventh-round stoppage win.
Deontay Wilder thinks Joshua will be shocked once again by Ruiz JrCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Andy Ruiz Jr recovered from an early knockdown to wipe the floor with Joshua in JuneCredit: Getty Images – Getty
While the Mexican claimed after the fight that he knew it was his “destiny” to become unified heavyweight champ, Joshua said there was a huge amount of luck involved.
The Brit told Sky Sports that Ruiz Jr is a good fighter but “ain’t that skilful” and only won thanks to a “lucky punch sent by the gods.”
This has since been laughed off by Wilder, who predicts it will be the Mexican who will once again have his hand raised in triumph.
The American, who will fight Tyson Fury next in a February rematch, told Business Insider: “I really do think he has his number.
“There’s no way [Ruiz Jr] can be a lucky puncher. This man landed multiple times, that’s a lot of lucky punches.
“We’re in a dangerous sport. Somebody’s gonna get knocked out and you just hope it’s not gonna be you.”
It was Joshua who scored the first knockdown in their first fight in the third round.
But Ruiz Jr seemed more surprised than stunned, and then delivered a stunning left hook that completely scrambled Joshua’s senses.
He clearly never recovered, and was dropped twice more, somehow making it to the seventh round before it was waved off.
Adamant that it will be Ruiz Jr victorious again, Wilder told Sky Sports: “I really believe Andy’s gonna go in there and do it again.
“When I look at the first fight and I see certain things as a fighter, a lot of red flags that alert me.
“And if that same mindset and momentum goes into the second fight, Andy Ruiz is going to win that easily.
“I’d prefer him to win because we’re in the same stable. When he wins we have the opportunity to unify the division.”
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
