ANTHONY JOSHUA will once again be the favourite when he goes for revenge in his rematch against Andy Ruiz Jr.
This is despite the Brit boxer being bashed by the Mexican underdog when they first met back in June.
Anthony Joshua has said he has made some big changes ahead of the change to avenge his defeat to Andy Ruiz JrCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
Following one of the most stunning upsets ever in heavyweight boxing, the knives were quickly out for Joshua.
From not looking focused, to coming in “too big”, to under-estimating the late stand-in – serious questions were being asked about his career in the sport.
But in Diriyah on Saturday the 30-year-old from Watford has the chance of redemption and getting the WBO, WBA, IBF and IBO belts back around his waist.
Here, Sunsport checks out the five things the deposed champ MUST do if he is to become unified champ once again.
STOP LEFT HOOK
It’s now common knowledge that Ruiz Jr has some of the quickest hands in the heavyweight division.
And of course it’s his lethal left hook that the Mexican will be looking to land as easily as he did in the first fight.
It’s easy to say that this is the biggest danger for AJ – but what is trickier is how the Brit can stop it.
Movement will be vital. If he comes in rigid like the first time then it could be curtains once again for the Brit.
He has shown how he will try and dodge it from sparring – but that means nothing unless he can do it come fight night.
Anthony Joshua drips in sweat as he works out for Andy Ruiz Jr fight
SPEED UP
The likes of Tyson Fury, Deontay Wilder and even Ruiz Jr have all said that Joshua carries too much muscle.
He is looking leaner for this rematch, and the hope will be that he can dance his way out of Ruiz Jr’s haymakers.
Joshua HAS to speed things up, this includes his hands as well as his feet.
But importantly he has to keep the momentum going into the later rounds if needs be.
FOCUS AND RELAX
Whatever his camp said in the aftermath of the shock defeat, Joshua did not seem himself at all in the first fight.
From asking for a neck massage minutes before touching gloves to clamping down on his gumshield, it looked as though the occasion had got to him.
But from the way he is talking in the pressers to what his sparring partners are saying, Joshua knows he MUST keep his calm for Part II.
American heavyweight Timothy Moten was brough in for the camp, and he said: “Joshua is learning to keep his composure, move his head, keep his guard up high even if he lands hurtful shots.”
Anthony Joshua will pocket a staggering £66million from his rematch with Andy Ruiz Jr
FIGHT AT LONG RANGE
Joshua has been seen as a “banger” in professional boxing since he made his debut back in 2013.
But with a rich amateur background and many titles along that journey, the man has so much more in his repertoire.
The issue is that many of his previous opponents have barely lasted a few rounds.
AJ should get his jab going from the off in Diriyah, and make his huge eight inch reach advantage really count.
If he allows Ruiz to get in close again, AJ could be staring up at the ceiling again.
It’s time to frustrate the Mexican, fight him at long range to exploit a rush of blood and hopefully get a stunning KO.
BE SMART
After his stunning victory back in June, Ruiz Jr suggested he was destined to win the fight.
Whether it was indeed divine intervention, no one can doubt that the likeable Mexican has the heart of a lion.
After being floored by Joshua in the third round it would be a fair bet that most ringside thought the fight wouldn’t last much longer.
Joshua got excited, ambled in without any gameplan other than to finish the fight there and then.
He should have seen in Ruiz Jr’s eyes that he was more shocked than stunned at being floored for the first time in his career.
Then he should have treated his opponent as a wounded animal – when they are at their most dangerous.
He should have worked the angles and opened up Ruiz Jr for the grand finale. But it didn’t happen.
Joshua’s conditioning means he should be more than comfortable taking Ruiz Jr into the later rounds.
Anthony Joshua is adamant he has recovered from the mental scars of a crushing defeat to Andy Ruiz JrCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Anthony Joshua’s body transformation is incredible – watch his open workout ahead of Andy Ruiz Jr rematch
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
