Anthony Joshua’s ascendancy has been restored, taking victory in his second match with Andy Ruiz junior.
When boxing’s poster boy Anthony Joshua faced pudgy Mexican puncher Andy Ruiz junior for the first time in June it was supposed to be a cakewalk.
Joshua, as the most marketable boxer in the three-horse race for heavyweight supremacy, was initially scheduled to face American Jarrell Miller who proceeded to throw away the biggest opportunity of his career when a trio of drug tests revealed that ‘Big Baby’ tested positive for far more than just hard work and dedication.
Included in the chemical cocktail uncovered by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Agency (VADA) were GW1516, human growth hormone, and EPO.
Ruiz, a native of Imperial, California, was plugged in as a suitable replacement.
Ruiz had come up short in his last bid for a major alphabet belt in 2016, losing to New Zealand’s Joseph Parker, was an ideal candidate: A fighter with championship-level experience who posed few challenges for Joshua in his United States debut.
An unassuming fighter if there ever were one, the rotund, happy-go-lucky puncher was not rattled by the bright lights of Madison Square Garden, nor the hoards of spectators who came to watch him play the role of a lamb to the slaughter.
Although outclassed for periods of the fight, even kissing the mat for the first time in his career, all it took was one booming left-hand to the side of Joshua’s ear to author a shocking upset.
The 30-year-old dark horse will look to make lightning strike twice this morning in Saudi Arabia when he again enters the ring as an underdog to face Joshua.
Joshua, the British megastar, deserves to be the favourite heading into the rematch. He seemingly ticks every box in this fight with a reach advantage, the big-fight experience and is just the far more proven commodity.
Ruiz’s route to victory seems obvious. He needs to find the chin of Joshua, who was made many question his chin’s vulnerabilities in recent times after hitting the deck against Wladimir Klitschko and seeing stars against Ruiz.
That being said, for Ruiz to make history repeat itself, he will have to take a lot of chances, and Joshua is bound to capitalise on at least one of them.
Official prediction: Ruiz will have his moments, but I can’t see him leaving with is consciousness or his four alphabet belts. Joshua TKO11.
Join The Roar for a live blog, beginning at 4am (AEDT).
Fraser
Roar Rookie
Well that fight was a bust. Hopefully Ruiz gets a little fitter for the next one. He's going to need to if he is going to catch Joshua, who will no doubt run all match again.
Tom
Guest
Odd comments from Ruiz. Surely of all events, it shouldn't be too difficult to get motivated to get into condition for a heavyweight title fight?
Justin Faux
Expert
Post-fight, Andy Ruiz calls to complete the trilogy, says he didn't prepare for the fight properly and came in too heavy. Joshua said he would have a third fight "without a doubt." It looks like we may be having this fight one last time, which, after today's effort, isn't something I'm exactly hyped about.
Simoc
Guest
So a one-sided fight. I really want to see a Joshua - Wilder fight in 2020. We've waited long enough.
Simoc
Guest
It seems most have Ruiz winning one round. Interesting to see what the judges come up with.
Justin Faux
Expert
Andy Ruiz Jr (33-1, 22 KO) vs Anthony Joshua (22-1, 21 KO) Round twelve: One round remains, and I have one round for the champion. Looking around at the pundits online, the most I see is two for Ruiz. Plain and simply, Ruiz needs a miracle here to keep his multiple alphabet belts. Joshua starts the round continuing to stick and move. Ruiz catches him momentarily, clipping AJ with a short punch but is unable to find a follow up. The snickers eating underdog is struggling here, winging punches that are mostly dodged by the champ. Joshua bounces on the heels of his feet, circling his slower opponent, who has blood around his eyes. Joshua dodges the onslaught of punches from Ruiz and lands a shot on his back foot. Ruiz taunts Joshua to come at him and brawl but he doesn't bite. 10-9 Joshua. 119-109 Joshua overall.
Justin Faux
Expert
Andy Ruiz Jr (33-1, 22 KO) vs Anthony Joshua (22-1, 21 KO) Round eleven: Six minutes left for Ruiz to make something happen and Joshua is content to not let that happen. The 30-year-old is constantly moving. Ruiz charges forward with a left-hand that grazes Joshua, who clinches and breaks once again. The relentless champion gets inside and lands a few snapping shots to the body, but the challenger again gets out of dodge. Joshua's boxing is just on another level, picking his shots and dancing around Ruiz, who looks clueless, unable to solve this riddle again, 10-9 Joshua.
Justin Faux
Expert
Andy Ruiz Jr (33-1, 22 KO) vs Anthony Joshua (22-1, 21 KO) Round ten: As we enter the tenth frame, this is essentially the fight most of us expected the first time around for Joshua-Ruiz. The undeterred underdog is still trying to win this, stepping forward and landing a looping right-hook. Joshua dodges his best efforts and maintains his distance with that jab that has served him incredibly well during this fight. Ruiz lands a quick shot, but is stopped in his tracks by Joshua clinching to force a break. The ring smarts of AJ has really been on display in this fight, doing everything to avoid serious danger, 10-9 Joshua.
Justin Faux
Expert
Andy Ruiz Jr (33-1, 22 KO) vs Anthony Joshua (22-1, 21 KO) Round nine: Joshua starts the round looking to go back to what brought him to the dance, keeping the big-bellied fighter on the outside but Ruiz again pressures. Joshua, in the white shorts and gloves, circles and clips Ruiz with a hook. He follows up with a wild right-hand that barely misses. Joshua lands a combination, closing with an uppercut that Ruiz mostly protected himself against. A few must've got through, though, because the cut on the Mexican fighters face has opened up again, 10-9 Joshua.
Justin Faux
Expert
Andy Ruiz Jr (33-1, 22 KO) vs Anthony Joshua (22-1, 21 KO) Round eight: Joshua, at six-foot-six is so much taller and longer than his opponent and it's leaving Ruiz with few opportunities. The underdog continues to pressure, though, getting inside and landing a left that stings Joshua. The champion tries to return fire and another grazes the face of Matchroom's poster boy. The California-based Mexican drills Joshua with a two punch combo and the champion is forced to return fire, 10-9 Ruiz.
Justin Faux
Expert
Andy Ruiz Jr (33-1, 22 KO) vs Anthony Joshua (22-1, 21 KO) Round six: Boxing's poster boy is in the drivers seat, forcing Ruiz to play his game and is beating him at it. Ruiz gets warned for throwing punches to the back of the head, and wildly throws some big punches - hitting air most of the time. Ruiz is really trying to make something happen here as we pass the mid-way point of the fight. The big man in the golden gloves lands a left-hand around the ear and forces Joshua to clinch up. The Mexican fighters best round yet, but still side with the challenger, 7-0.
Justin Faux
Expert
Andy Ruiz Jr (33-1, 22 KO) vs Anthony Joshua (22-1, 21 KO) Round six: Ruiz moves forward and lands a combination but Joshua covers up well, and gets out of danger. The critics that have questioned the chin of Joshua may not get their opportunity to see if it's really cracked here as the Brit shows great defense. Ruiz is heavy, but pitter-pattering with his jab and looking to create opportunities. Joshua is moving around the bigger man and having target practice, varying between the head and body shots. A big right-hand from Joshua barely misses the mark, before the champ closes the round throwing around his weight in the clinch, 6-0 Joshua.
Justin Faux
Expert
Andy Ruiz Jr (33-1, 22 KO) vs Anthony Joshua (22-1, 21 KO) Round five: Ruiz comes out of the gates strong, throwing big punches that are dodged by the box office star. Joshua stings with the jab and moves side to side, content to outbox Ruiz at distance. Joshua moves side to side and lands a big left-hook. Another in the bank for Joshua, 10-9. Andy Ruiz Jr (33-1, 22 KO) vs Anthony Joshua (22-1, 21 KO) Round four: Joshua is fighting fantastically at range, and is content to play his own game. It’s leading to a tactful, if uneventful couple of rounds. Ruiz is having perhaps his best round of the fight, but is still trailing behind the former multi-belt champion, and looks a little troubled by it. During the previous fight, Ruiz relied on Joshua’s impatience to create opportunities and that’s nowhere to be found here. A two-piece combo from Joshua stings Ruiz to close the fourth, 10-9.
Justin Faux
Expert
Andy Ruiz Jr (33-1, 22 KO) vs Anthony Joshua (22-1, 21 KO) Round three: Joshua continues the same routine, dictating the pace and forcing Joshua to take chances that he can take advantage of. Ruiz, the big-bellied heavyweight, is surprisingly agile for a man of his size and has shown no signs of slowing to this point and swings with a wild punch that hits nothing. The champ is charging forward and Joshua is too quick on his feet, moving laterally and landing significant fire power. Through three, it's all Joshua, 10-9 again.
Justin Faux
Expert
Andy Ruiz Jr (33-1, 22 KO) vs Anthony Joshua (22-1, 21 KO) Round two: Joshua is firmly in charge, keeping the champion on the outside and slinging big shots down the pipe at the cut on Ruiz's forehead. The unassuming champ doesn't look deterred, finding a beautiful jab. Another shot forces a cut on the challenger. Ruiz falls short on a punch to the body and pays for it. Ruiz forces a cut on the forehead of Joshua via an apparent head clash, and continues to pressure but is stuck eating punches each time he advances, 10-9 Joshua.
Justin Faux
Expert
Andy Ruiz Jr (33-1, 22 KO) vs Anthony Joshua (22-1, 21 KO) Round one: Ruiz, the heavy underdog in more ways than one, leads with a jab, attempting to get inside on his lanky opponent, who calmly and patiently picks his shots. The British superstar is content to sit on the outside, and look for opportunities, no matter how boring the fight becomes. Ruiz is attempting to make something happen but is kept on the starting blocks by his bigger opponent. A left-hand to the body gets the attention of Ruiz, and Joshua goes upstairs with a right-hand that draws blood. Strong finish to the first round for Joshua, 10-9 for the challenger.
Justin Faux
Expert
Alright guys, the main event is upon us. We'll have round-by-round updates coming your way. Both fighter are expected to walk momentarily.
Justin Faux
Expert
Alexander Povetkin (35-2, 24 KO) vs. Michael Hunter (18-1, 12 KO) Hunter, who marched to the ring in predator mask, was on the attack from the word go, hurting the tough veteran within seconds before literally throwing him to the mat. Right when this fight began to look like a showcase bout for the fast-starting former cruiserweight, Povetkin countered with a two-piece combo to even the score. From there, the composed veteran just weathered the storm. I've seen countless fighters panic in those situations and end up looking up at the lights - or at the very least going down for a count - but not Povetkin. The Russian puncher, who won gold at the 2004 Athens Olympics, was able to get back into the fight, trading rounds with Hunter, who was really playing for keeps. Hunter, the son of a 90's era heavyweight baring the same name, landed the bigger shots throughout, but it was Povetkin who did the better work overall, in my opinion. My personal scorecard saw Povetkin winning 115-113. No issues with a draw here. Official decision: split draw
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
I am. Took 3/1 for a KO by Ruiz again
Justin Faux
Expert
Dillian Whyte (26-1, 18 KO) vs. Mariusz Wach (35-5, 19 KO) Whyte, coming in at a career high of 271 pounds, had, as the commentary team dubbed, a "stay busy" fight against Wach. The big man from Great Britain has been on the sideline since June dealing with an anti-doping charge from UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) which was officially dropped this week. Wach, the 39-year-old Polish fighter who has shared the ring with the likes of Wladimir Klitschko and Alexander Povetkin continued the trend of losing in his biggest fights. Whyte looked far from stellar. In fact, he looked downright awful at points. But he still had too many tools for Wach in the early rounds, looking like he was simply a cut above. 'The Bodysnatcher', who has a history of getting lazy and giving up rounds down the stretch, either did exactly that or faded with the excess weight. Either way, he ate a lot of punches en route to a forgettable decision win that he should've comfortably won. 7 rounds to 3 for Whyte on my personal card. Official result: Dillian Whyte via unanimous decision.