Tony Bellew has always been a big fan of Anthony Joshua, and now he has spoken on who he wants to see the two-time world champ ‘pulverise’ next.
Joshua is still very much in the rebuilding phase following his two losses to Oleksandr Usyk. Across the 24 back-to-back rounds, Joshua had only scant moments of success and was unable to land the power shots which have defined much of his career to date.
Since then he has fought to a points win over Jermaine Franklin back in April and produced a seventh-round knockout of fringe contender, Robert Helenius, in August.
Much talk after that centred around the Brit going on to face Deontay Wilder in a mouthwatering clash out in Saudi Arabia, although things have gone quiet on that front in recent weeks following a reported shift in the boxing landscape.
Speaking to Froch on Fighting,Bellew – who Carl Froch has stated shouldn’t commentate on Joshua fights due to their relationship – named the man he would like Joshua to face ahead of a fight with Wilder.
“Andy Ruiz. I like that fight. I think he pulverises Ruiz this time. But I would like to have seen the Dillian Whyte fight, that would have been a very good fight.”
Andy Ruiz Jr has already been in the ring twice with Joshua. On the first occasion he shocked the world with a seventh round stoppage to become unified champion. ‘AJ’ would reverse the result later that year, beating the Mexican over twelve and regaining his belts.
After Ruiz, Bellew hopes Joshua might finally square up with the WBC champion before lamenting the lack of challenges generally in the division.
“But [Tyson] Fury, obviously, that’s the one I really want to see. It’s tough, the heavyweight division isn’t as deep as it should be – there are fringe contenders or you’re not very good.”