By Gabriel Princewill-
Nearly three weeks after Joshua’s brutal defeat by unknown hard man Andy Ruiz Jnr, the damage done by Anthony’s Joshua’s stoppage defeat before an enthusiastic army of British supporters still lingers on.
It is obvious Eddie Hearns made a grave mistake in choosing Andy Ruiz for Joshua at this stage. Not because boxing fans were robbed of the continuity of seeing Joshua extend his previously unbeaten record, but rather because Hearns should have foreseen the real possibility that his man could easily be unseated by Ruiz; derailing his prolific flow of victories in the momentum building for the long awaited clash with Deontey Wilder.
The nightmare of this defeat must be sinking in with each passing day. Speculation that Joshua suffered a concussion before the fight creates a genuine hope that the former undisputed champion was in sub optimal condition, and would likely win the rematch which is yet to be scheduled for the end of the year. The problem here is that unless a fully transformed Joshua turns up for the rematch, it will be a very tough fight for the amiable Londoner, no matter where the fight takes place.
Emphatic denials from Joshua’s team that the big hitting Londoner had suffered physical and mental injures sustained from a sparring session has done little to abate the swirling rumours that Joshua was incapacitated either physically, mentally, or both, before the fight. The rumours could even be true, especially if AJ’s team are averse to any semblance of excuse making, or exposing a private and potentially detrimental information about what may have occurred in sparring.
RESPONSIBILITY
It makes little difference either way because Joshua has taken full responsibility for the defeat, and that’s where it ends as far as the rumours are concerned. If the well loved Londoner avenges the defeat in the rematch, he will be appreciated more, as will Ruiz. Eddie Hearns must also take responsibility for failing to gauge the size of the risk he was taken when making this fight. He created a tougher assignment for his man than was necessary, in a fight meant to be a showcase of Joshua’s ability stateside.
The cool and well spoken promoter was not prepared to set Joshua up with a push over, but he got him a handful of an opponent who more than pushed Joshua over, snatching his world title belts with force. Footage of Ruiz Jnr against Joseph Parker should have told Hearns that an opponent of his fighting spirit could spell disaster for his man, but it did not.
There can be no argument that Ruiz,even with his out of shape looking belly can fight. Anyone who branded Ruiz Jnr a bum before or after the fight was either being uncharitable to Joshua, making a wild untrue statement, or simply ignorant of the facts. The danger was obvious, and Joshua would have deserved all plaudits in the event of a masterful performance, which ofcourse did not happen. Hearns messed up by selecting Ruiz for his golden boy and should have sensed the same danger some of us sensed instead of believing the hype that Joshua would just walk through anyone.
FAST
Ruiz was always going to be a risky customer, with those fast hands and tenacious fighting spirit. Hearns, who once said he wanted to select a fighter who would come and try and snatch those titles from Joshua, did not underestimate Andy Ruiz Junior, but may have overestimated Anthony Joshua. He selection of Ruiz in search of a real fight is reminiscent of the saying, be careful what you wish for.
Heavy Ruiz (left) was too tough a cookie for Joshua(right) in Newyork
POWERFUL
No question, Joshua is a powerful boxer with decent technic. He has fought better opponents than most heavyweights, including champions, at this stage of his career. However, pre-existing shortcomings in the structure of his boxing should have raised alarm bells when Hearns was thinking of matching him with Andy Ruiz, who mixes speed and high punch variety with intense determination. Not only does Joshua -who was well adored by Uk fans- have systemic flaws that need ironing out, he fights too infrequently for a top heavyweight at this stage of his career.
With one questionable defeat(against former WBO champion, Joseph Parker) on the Mexican’s then 33 fight record, Ruiz was a tough selection for Joshua’s American debut. What made the choice more imprudent is the fact Ruiz doesn’t look the part but is more solid than the eye’s perception would suggest. Joshua would have been denied credit had he dismantled Ruiz easily, making the potential damage of the fight outweigh the benefits from the outset. Why Hearns didn’t consider this, only he knows.
New Undisputed World Heavyweight Champion: Andy Ruiz
EXPECTATIONS
The inevitable paradox here is that a heavyweight champion of the world is expected to be able to face and beat anybody presented before them at anytime. Expectations in life, cannot always be viewed as being consistent with reality. When a big fight of the magnitude of Joshua and Wilder is waiting to be made, serious contenders of Ruiz’s potency should be identified and lined up for later down the line.
This is always the strategic course undertaken by promoters when big fights are lurking in the corner. Tyson Fury for example, was carefully set up with Tom Schwatz for his fight last weekend because his handlers were not going to take type of major risk Hearns took with Joshua. And Fury is still basking in the gratifying spirit of victory, talking big like a king, and on track for bigger fights ahead. Fury would have met Deontey Wilder in the ring twice or thrice, before Joshua meets either of the pair once. That’s regrettable when we remember how much the public has been yearning for the fight.
INTENTIONS
Hearns meant well and had good intentions in selecting Ruiz for his man because he wanted Joshua to win after facing a stern challenge in America. He didn’t want the formerly well touted world champion to blast out a push over, but it was a very costly mistake. Hearns did not get the balance right, and should have foreseen the enormity of the risk he was presenting his man and his team with.
The risk could pay up in the end, if it brings out the best of Joshua in his preparations, and ultimately, in the rematch that follows at the end of the year. The television audience for the rematch will dwarf that of the first fight. Joshua and his team have 5- 6 months to get it right this time.