ANTHONY JOSHUA insists he will not celebrate snatching his heavyweight titles back from Andy Ruiz Jr.
The 30-year-old Brit hero was slaughtered by the Mexican on June 1, in one of boxing’s biggest upsets.
Ruiz has since claimed AJ quit the New York stunner, riling the Olympic 2012 Team GB hero.
But the 6ft 6in powerhouse, who held his last sparring session on Tuesday to stay razor-sharp, says a rematch win in Saudi Arabia will still be no time to party or showboat.
He said: “Would it be a special moment? No because I know I belong here, so it’s not special.
“When I regain those belts I’m going to keep cool, stay focused on the next challenge. It’s not a time to celebrate.
“It’s a time to keep the challenger mindset, one by one I’m picking them off, I’m moving on to the next target and Ruiz is just the next target on my list.
“I have been boxing for a while and, even when I first started I came to take over, not take part. I came with full force and commitment.
“The focus has always been there but I never had a chance to reflect, it was always tournaments or titles.
“I am not here to put on a show, I am here to win, I have fought or sparred almost everyone on the card, I have been around the block, I know what I am doing.”
For the first time since that incredible round seven stoppage in Madison Square Garden, AJ’s trainer Rob McCracken alluded to serious problems inside that camp.
Rumours and speculation were rife, after Joshua was dropped four dizzying times and retired by the referee in the seventh.
And long-time trainer McCracken admitted he and Joshua were not happy going in to his disastrous US debut.
He said: “Ant is in a much better place than he was last time, I am much happier.
“Ant has trained in the British embassy where he has worked hard and diligently, the mood is totally different compared to New York.”
Ruiz believes he spotted Joshua’s new lean physique and gameplan coming from 3,800 miles off, back in London.
The challenger has dropped plenty of weight from his previously hulking frame and has worked on being a lighter and more elusive boxer, who might have to jab and move his way to a less-than-spectacular points win.
But the shock champ, who had his first fight aged just seven, claims he has too much experience and power for the athlete who only started boxing aged 18.
He said: “I am ready to rock’n’roll and I know AJ is prepared and motivated.
“I know he has lost weight and will try to box me around but I have trained for that and know how to prevent it.
“I don’t want to let these beautiful belts go, I started training at just six years and will die trying to keep them.”
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
