As he continues to work hard in the gym and seek out his next opponent, former unified world heavyweight champion Andy Ruiz Jr has discredited Anthony Joshua’s win in their rematch in Jeddah in December 2019, saying the Brith should have ‘knocked him out.’
Joshua boxed at range behind a solid jab to take a 12-round points win in that rematch just six months after being knocked out by Ruiz in their first fight at Madison Square Garden.
Speaking to Make a Move, Ruiz Jr outlined his ideal list of opponents going forward.
“I would like to face [Oleksandr] Usyk, I would like to face Tyson Fury, I would like to face Anthony Joshua, we could do the trilogy.”
Ruiz then expressed regret at how he approached the second fight with Joshua, admitting he didn’t put in the work and saying he should have been beaten more conclusively by Joshua.
“That’s something that makes me want to cry cause in the rematch with me and Anthony Joshua because I didn’t do nothing right. I didn’t train. I didn’t do nothing. How did I last all those 12 rounds? That was for him to knock me out, easy.”
He then stated he is a man on a mission and will not make the same mistakes again.
“God has given me another chance, Jesus Christ believes in me again and this time when I do get the crown and become heavyweight champion I’m going to do everything right and I’m going to keep the belts, best believe me.”
Ruiz Jr has not been in the ring for over a year since his unanimous points win over Luis Ortiz in September of 2022 and as such has dropped a long way down the heavyweight rankings. He will need to climb his way back with some solid wins if he wants another shot at some of the marquee names.