NEWLY released footage of Anthony Joshua’s pad work has shown the former heavyweight champion training specifically to counter Andy Ruiz Jr’s devastating left hook.
It was that brain-shattering left that rocked Joshua in the third round of their unforgettable first bout that AJ lost in June.
Footage showed Joshua training specifically to block the left hook Ruiz Jr likes to throw and counter itCredit: Mark Robinson – Matchroom
The former heavyweight king knows he cannot afford to be hit with a lead hook againCredit: Mark Robinson Ltd
Joshua said a “lucky punch from the gods” was to blame for his shock defeat in which he lost his WBA, WBO and IBF titles.
But it looks like he is expecting the exact same attack from Ruiz Jr – who has transformed his body – when they meet for their rematch in Saudi Arabia on December 7.
Footage of Joshua in the ring with Spaniard Angel Fernandez – drafted in by Rob McCracken as an additional pad man – showed him preparing for the left.
Joshua, 30, was seen catching and countering a lead hook during his session in Sheffield yesterday.
The Brit Olympic hero acknowledged Ruiz Jr’s fast hands but said he will dominate him, reclaim his belts – and make everyone bow at his feet in worship when he wins.
Joshua said: “I’m fighting the best man in the world now. I’m going to whup him, and show how great I am.
“They think he’s so great, so when I beat him I want everybody to bow to my feet and tell me how great I am.
“I couldn’t beat Ruiz Jr before and get the credit I deserved.
When I beat Ruiz Jr I want everybody to bow to my feet and tell me how great I am.
Anthony Joshua
“You saw me in the ring [before the fight] – I wasn’t fighting King Kong, was I? [I didn’t have] that mindset.
“Apparently I’m fighting the quickest hands and the best fighter in the division. So once I beat him I want everybody to bow to me.
“It’s a restart, that’s the best way of explaining it.
“We’ve had plenty of time to prepare for the rematch, I’ve always had the challenger mindset.
“I’m in for a tough fight but I don’t have any fear of Andy. I’m not gun-shy, I’m ready to swing and trade.”
Mexican-American Ruiz, 30, has shown off his own lightning speed as the countdown to their rematch begins in earnest.
And it was another one of those massive left hooks that landed in the belly of his mate.
Ruiz posted a video in which his pal Zo throws a number of combos on to the champ’s pads.
But the Snickers-loving heavyweight could not resist throwing one of his own, winding his pal with a big left.
David Haye has warned Joshua could suffer flashbacks in his rematch and see that left coming in all over again.
Joshua said Ruiz Jr threw a ‘punch from the gods’ but he is training to face it againCredit: Mark Robinson – Matchroom
Ruizs massive left hook had Joshua wobbling in the third round of their first fightCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Joshua throws a left of his own in trainingCredit: Mark Robinson Ltd
He said: “Boxers talk about flashbacks and we will not know the impact of that defeat until Anthony Joshua gets hit on the chin by Ruiz.
“He might well revert back to how he felt in that first fight.
“That first big shot might buckle the knees and all the hype and all the training goes out of the window.”
Joshua looked focused but relaxed in trainingCredit: Mark Robinson Ltd
The Brit hero is desperate to win back his heavyweight titlesCredit: Mark Robinson Ltd
Andy Ruiz Jr shows lightning speed as he punches pal in the belly while training for Anthony Joshua rematch
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
