Former unified Heavyweight champion, Andy Ruiz Jr says he was unimpressed with Anthony Joshua’s victory over Kubrat Pulev in December and has given Tyson Fury the edge in a potential meeting.
Unified WBA ‘Super’, WBO, IBF and IBO champion, Joshua and WBC titlist, Fury are closing in on an unprecedented, four-belt undisputed showdown in the Spring, with talks ongoing between both teams.
Ruiz Jr, who produced one of the biggest upsets in the history of the sport when he stopped Joshua in seven rounds at Madison Square Garden in June 2019 to become world Heavyweight champion, before losing his belts in their December 2019 rematch in Saudi Arabia believes Fury’s awkward style could prove crucial against his former rival.
“I think that’s going to be an interesting fight,” the 31-year-old told Little Giant Boxing.
“I fought Anthony Joshua, I haven’t fought Tyson Fury. Tyson Fury has a weird style, he’s tall, he fights tall.
“But, I don’t know, I kind of see Tyson Fury winning that fight, I wasn’t too impressed with Anthony Joshua’s last performance, but he got the job done and move onto the next.
“I think Tyson Fury might get it, you never know, it depends how awkward he is, if he boxes.
“Anthony hasn’t fought anyone that boxes around and moves around, so we’ll see about that.”
Ruiz Jr, who admitted to partying too much in the lead-up to his one-sided, rematch defeat on points to Joshua, has since linked up with trainer Eddy Reynoso after parting ways with previous coach Manny Robles.
‘The Destroyer’, who is in camp with the likes of Ryan Garcia, WBC Super Featherweight titlist, Oscar Valdez and Canelo Alvarez who defends his WBA ‘Super’, WBC and Ring Magazine titles against Avni Yildirim on Saturday, is targeting an April return after losing a reported 20lbs in weight.
The Mexican-American is reportedly in talks to face Chris Arreola in his comeback fight and insists the public will witness a considerable difference in his display from his last outing against Joshua.
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“It’s a blessing being over here. It’s a lot different to my last camp and where I was training at. Right here it’s all focus, all dedication,” Ruiz Jr added.
“Plus you’ve got Canelo, Ryan [Garcia], Oscar [Valdez], all these motivation people that help you want to grow. It’s like a competition in there.
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“We’re all trying to be the best, but we’re helping each other out, so much love to everybody.
“Once they see me on April fight, everything is going to change.
“Everyone’s going to see the dramatic change of mind and from my team and all that, so it’s just exciting man, I can’t wait to get in the ring.
“I’m not saying who I’m going to fight yet, but it’s going to be an interesting fight.”
