Don't look for the hooks,' Joshua was told by his trainer Rob McCracken. 'Ruiz has been the aggressor,' commented Paulie Malignaggi as the first round came to an end. Ruiz immediately took centre ring and forced Joshua on to his back foot, a pattern that continued for the rest of the fight. Whether Joshua fell into the trap of taking him lightly or not is up for debate, but within ten seconds of the first bell it was already clear that Ruiz was better than most of Joshua's previous 22 professional opponents. His former trainer Freddie Roach was one, while Joseph Parker - who has shared a ring with both men - said Ruiz was the hardest puncher he had faced, but their comments largely fell on deaf ears as the mainstream media focused on his love of Snickers chocolate bars.
UK bookies had Ruiz around 12-1, while reports in the US claim odds of up to 30-1 were on offer for the upset.Ī few warned not to write off Ruiz. Hardly anybody took the fight seriously, why would they? Joshua's huge frame, like a real-life Hercules, towered over the chubby challenger. In June Anthony Joshua, the 2012 Olympic gold medallist and undefeated world heavyweight champion, was a massive favourite to brush aside Andy Ruiz.
Where to watchīack this tip with Paddy Power Big fight preview Free boxing tips, odds and fight preview for Andy Ruiz v Anthony Joshua 2 for the world heavyweight title in Saudi Arabia.
