By Gabriel Princewill-
Anthony Joshua will give away 3 stones to Andy Ruiz when the pair meet on Saturday in an all important fight for the pair, especially Joshua for whom victory is imperative.
Who will win this most eagerly anticipated heavyweight fight of the year is difficult to call, though the disparity in the physical size of the two combatants may add some spice to our speculation. Joshua weighed in at 16st 13lb on the scales, considerably lighter than the 17 stones he had weighed for his fight in June when he lost to the present world champion. Ruiz surprisingly comes in at 20 st 3 lbs, considerably heavier than the at 19st 2lb he weighed when stunned the world last June and captured the undisputed heavyweight titles from the formerly unbeaten Joshua.
The general perception from pictures posted on social media in the build up to the fight was that Andy Ruiz had been trimming down and losing weight for the fight. It may be that following criticisms about his decision to lose weight, the softly spoken world heavyweight champion added the pounds on because of the secure feeling he gets from it. Ruiz has made no secret of the psychological edge he feels from having extra weight on.
Although the excess weight on the U.S born fighter of Mexican descent was an influential factor in his original selection by promoter Eddie Hearn, Joshua’s team deserve some credit for the standard of opposition they selected for their man after just 22 fights. Not many heavyweight prospects faced someone of Ruiz’s calibre at this stage of their career. Razor Ruddock had lost four times out of 32 fights when Lennox Lewis dismantled him in two rounds in 1992.Ruiz was a tough customer for Joshua at this stage of his career, but an obstacle he was expected to overcome.
DYNAMICS
How the dynamics of their relative weight difference will play out in the ring tomorrow night could be decisive. One certainty is that Joshua will be faster, sharper, and fitter. His power could even be more explosive than usual. Ruiz will be agile, blending strategic with an aggressive offen
A determining factor could be how Joshua handles a confident champion advancing forward with a destructive mission in mind. Movement and speed will be central to Joshua’s formula for beating Ruiz, but he mustn’t be too gun shy just because of his last experience. Responding intuitively to every given situation must be integral to every given situation he finds himself in.
MOBILITY
Joshua plans to use his mobility more to hit and not get hit, devising a tactical approach that utilises his physical reach to keep the champion at bay until he finds the right opening to stop him and regain his lost titles. Even a points victory will suffice for the amiable Londoner who needs to return to the the glory that saw him positioned at the apex of the division.
The real challenge he faces in Andy Ruiz Jnr is the intelligent and tenacious fighting style he brings to the show. The champion who is still basking in his new found fame has spoken of applying pressure on Joshua, cutting down the ring and throwing fast, snappy combinations designed to weaken Joshua. Joshua hits hard, but is also up against a man with very good boxing brain. Ruiz is a superb counter puncher with brilliant timing and incredible hand speed. His punching power is hard, but doesn’t quite match Joshua’s.
ASSERTIVE
Joshua will have to be assertive from the outset, using the jab authoritatively, boxing effectively at range, and delivering his shots with venom. The super rich fighter who earns a handsome £60m plus from this fight plans to take it to the latter rounds where he expects to wear Ruiz down and either stop him or take a decision on points. Ruiz will be probing Joshua for as long as he is standing on his feet, using his trade mark body shots to try and soften the challenger, whilst plotting his sudden moment of onslaught to register the double win he needs to maintain his bragging rights.
Reflecting on his first loss where he was dropped shortly after knocking down his opponent, Joshua has always stated that Ruiz Jnr wasn’t cooked. Perhaps he plans to cook him well this time then stop him. The genuine concern has to be that the longer the fight goes, the more emboldened and adventurous Ruiz Jnr will become. The safest scenario is for Joshua to take Ruiz out at the earliest real opportunity that presents itself. A disciplined approach that sees him bide his time and stretch Ruiz out could pay off too, if he can nullify all or most of his strengths .
BIG
Joshua’s legion of adoring fans in the Uk hope wants to see him win big, and he has the power and strength to do so. However, when all is weighed up, it is Andy Ruiz Jnr, whose tenacity and heightened sense of urgency I believe will earn him a repeat win around the sixth round of a sensational fight. It will be a pleasure to be wrong in this one.