BBN ask their panel what went wrong for Anthony Joshua and whether he would win a rematch
BBN asked their panel of experts for their opinion on the shocking world heavyweight title fight in the Big Apple last weekend where Anthony Joshua lost all his belts to underdog Andy Ruiz Jr, who wasn't given a chance by many to win.
A former English champion, Jarrell Miller's manager and a sports agent all share their opinions exclusively with BBN:
What went wrong for AJ against Ruiz Jr?
Miles Shinkwin
Former English light-heavyweight champion
"You can say things went wrong as soon as soon Miller failed his first drugs test. Perhaps they should of pulled the show but, like in life, hindsight is a great thing that we unfortunately don’t have the luxury of.
Josh is human, he underperformed and lost. People at work doing their 9-5 underperform all the time, it’s just not magnified for all the world to see."
Dmitriy Salita
Promoter & Jarrell Miller's manager
"Andy Ruiz did a phenomenal job in using his size to his advantage by controlling the distance with his footwork and angling his boxing stance to stay defensively safe and in position to take advantage of Joshua’s mistakes.
Joshua had trouble with balance, which led to all other issues for him in the fight. Ruiz’s boxing stance and use of his footwork made Joshua square up and gave Ruiz the advantage of landing shots quicker in the exchanges. Joshua had a difficult time adjusting to Ruiz, finding rhythm and establishing his jab. Because Joshua was off balance he was susceptible to counters and as the fight went on he was afraid to initiate offense because Ruiz took advantage of that almost every time. Skills won the fight and Ruiz showed superb boxing IQ and used his machismo in the right place during the fight.
Ruiz fought on my “Detroit Brawl” show a few years ago and I was very impressed with his skills. Don’t judge the book by the cover, he is a very experienced fighter with a great corner.
Respect to Joshua he was all class and took a chance to fight at MSG thousands of miles away from home, another mental factor that played into the fight, especially on fight night."
Tim Rickson
Sports Agent
"AJ himself said that he got caught on the top of the dome and couldn't recover. I'm sure that's right but, as a spectator, I saw a sharper, more aggressive, purposeful, incentivised challenger take control of the fight and outwork and outclass the champion.
Ruiz did everything better than the champion, and the knockdown – the first of his career, I believe – was just a flash knockdown that surprised more than hurt him. AJ was reckless going in for the kill and psychologically it must have broke AJ's heart to see his powerful straight right hand not have the effect he wanted it to have. When you give an opponent your best shots and he shrugs them off, it makes your heart sink.
Ruiz went on the front foot from the start, backed AJ up, threw more punches, was quicker and sharper and more intentful, and bettered AJ in exchanges. Ruiz just did everything better and his technique and skill allowed him to close the distance intelligently and keep it tight without receiving damage and being able to capitalise on all of Josh's mistakes.
AJ's reduced output, hanging his left arm down low, not keeping Ruiz at bay were probably the three glaringly obvious faults. He was told by his corner to keep his arms up immediately after round one, but he didn't listen."
Would AJ win the rematch?
Miles Shinkwin
Former English light-heavyweight champion
"I think he wins the rematch, I think he knows he’s made some mistakes, perhaps overlooking Ruiz slightly, and you don’t become a bad fighter overnight.
Josh can fight and I expect him to knuckle down and come back better and win the rematch, should it happen, convincingly."
Dmitriy Salita
Promoter & Jarrell Miller's manager
"For Joshua to truly redeem himself the fight has to happen in the US, not England. Then you can say that Joshua put himself in the same situation with the same challenges he did in the first fight, that, in my eyes, would be a big step towards redemption.
On a technical, tactical side, he has to make adjustments as I indicated earlier. Joshua beat some great heavyweights during his run but Ruiz’s style, which is fluid and fast, especially for a heavyweight, presented major problems for Joshua."
Tim Rickson
Sports Agent
"I see it as a 50-50 fight.
I believe AJ's performance in New York was under par, so there should be a far better version of him in the rematch. The game plan would surely have to be to keep Ruiz on the end of his jab and to avoid exchanges for the first part of the fight. I would also work on his stamina, too; more endurance training and less muscle making. While I've got the opportunity to say so, I think there could be some major changes within his team following this loss.
I've already stated that these two boxers are very close in quality. Both have incredible amateur records and achievements; AJ laying claim to being the world's best obviously tops Ruiz's 105-5 amateur record and achievements, but both were right at the top of their game as amateurs, Ruiz came close to making the Olympics and was a multiple national champion.
As pros, they are also hard to split, their records and achievements are on par now that both have been unified world champions. In the ring together, they both scored knockdowns and the fight did swing back and forth, despite Ruiz obviously being in control throughout.
I think it makes for an intruiging rematch with two close competitors where AJ will get the home advantage, but will he have suffered any psychological damage? Possibly, but he is a consummate professional and works hard, so I believe that his hunger and desire will be even greater as a challenger, but Ruiz will have that confidence that comes with being the champion, so it is all to play for and I can't split them.
I would probably lean towards Joshua to edge Ruiz in a rematch if he fights the right fight, but it will be close whether it finishes early or goes the distance, but I wouldn't be surprised with either man winning."