By Gabriel Princewill-
Andy Ruiz is desperate to snatch the world title belts of Anthony Joshua after it was formally announced that he is next to be served an opportunity to be crowned world heavyweight champion.
Mexican contender Andy Ruiz faces Anthony Joshua for the Londoner’s first U.S debut fight on June 1.
Ruiz (32-1, 21 KOs) is currently on a three-fight winning streak, his most recent victory coming over Alexander Dimitrenko on April 20 via fifth-round TKO. His only loss comes against Joseph Parker in December 2016 for the vacant WBO heavyweight champion, who was beaten on points by Anthony Joshua in 2018. Many observers questioned the judges verdict and felt Ruiz deserved to win that fight.
Ruiz is expected to produce a decent challenge against Anthony Joshua, but most experts expect Joshua will win this fight even if Ruiz provides some stiff opposition. Ruiz will give it his best shot, and the fact the big fight will be Joshua’s first on U.S soil where the challenger already has a huge fan base means the atmosphere will be electric and ripe for the unexpected. Joshua cannot afford to be complacent at all, in his first opportunity to showcase his tools to the American public. Eddie Hearns said:
“Andy Ruiz will come to win.” “He doesn’t look physically pleasing, but he can really fight. He’s Mexican, he can punch, he has fast hands, and he knows how to fight.”
Joshua (22-0, 21 KOs) was originally scheduled to face Jarrell Miller at MSG in his United States debut, but failed a drug tests for three separate banned substances. In a youtube interview with Matchroom Boxing, Ruiz said:
“It’s time to make history. On June 1 we’re going to make history,” he said in a YouTube interview with Matchroom Boxing.
“I want to be one of those greats like (Julio Cesar) Chavez, (Mike) Tyson, (Evander) Holyfield, Lennox Lewis. I want to be in that category. This is my time, this is my chance.”
“I think the fight is going toe-to-toe, two guys smashing each other’s faces. I’m going in there to throw combinations like I’ve never thrown before,” added Ruiz.
World Heavyweight Champion: Anthony Joshua Image: Sky Sports.Com
Joshua will be under pressure not just to win, but to win impressively. Considering the fact Ruiz has never been stopped in 33 fights, a stoppage by the reigning world champion will look very good on his resume and introduce him well to the American public, many of whom may not have heard of him before this fight.