Former unified heavyweight champion Andy Ruiz knows exactly what it takes to defeat Anthony Joshua, but doesn’t believe unbeaten challenger Oleksandr Usyk will manage that feat at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium tonight.
Ruiz famously toppled WBA Super, WBO and IBF champion Joshua in seven rounds in June 2019 before losing his heavyweight crowns on the cards in a rematch the following December.
Given his experiences, the Mexican American is well placed to gauge whether the dangerous Usyk can unseat Joshua later this evening. However, Ruiz believes his former foe will have too much in his locker to lose to the naturally smaller Ukrainian southpaw.
“Usyk has to use his feints and, when Joshua is ready to load up, throw his combinations. When I fought Joshua, I thought I had to wade and counter after he loads up and throw my combinations. I think Usyk can do the same thing. But Joshua is bigger and has been in the ring with better competition,” Ruiz told ESPN.com.
“Usyk likes to move around and he throws good punches. Maybe Usyk can land one of those shots like I did and change the whole fight around. In the heavyweight division anything is possible – anything can happen.
“[But my prediction is] Joshua by KO in the sixth round. He will dominate the fight and finish Usyk. Joshua is going to use his distance and his reach. I’m pretty sure he is going to be lighter on his feet and move around and take advantage of his size.”