Andy Ruiz Jr warned Anthony Joshua that he wants keep his belts for a long time ahead of their rematch in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia later this year.
The rivals went face to face for the first time since Joshua was surprisingly beaten by Ruiz Jr in the country that will host their rematch.
“The hunger still remains,” Ruiz Jr said ahead of defending the IBF, WBA and WBO titles that he took from Joshua.
“I don’t want 15 minutes of fame. I want it to last. I want a generation. I want to be a champion for more years.
“Two big heavyweights punching each other in the face, it’s going to be exciting.
“I know Anthony Joshua is coming hard, he’s coming strong. He’s more hungry, he wants his belts back. He’s preparing hard, but so am I.
“There’s a lot of responsibilities. I’m going to try my best. I’m going to keep those belts and I’m going to have them back in Mexico.
“I’m going to win here in the same fashion that I won on June 1.”
Joshua was floored four times and beaten in seven torrid rounds by Ruiz Jr on his US debut in New York.
The surprise result ended Joshua’s unbeaten record, his world heavyweight title reign and his hope to fight Deontay Wilder to crown an undisputed champion.
“I was up against a good challenger. Andy is champion now,”Joshua said at the press conference.
“That will last until December 7 when he puts his titles in the air. Two warriors to go war and the best man will walk out victorious.
“Being a champion is more than the belts. It’s about a championship mindset. The belts will go up in the air and we will fight for them again.”
3 Comments
It is really going to be war. If Joshua looses again, that may be the end of his career. It’s possible Joshua may lose again. The Mexicans have a different mindset than the British/Nigerians. Joshua have to kill him to beat him and get back his titles and that may not happen.
“Joshua may lose again” ” Getting his titles back may not happen” Seriously don’t understand what you driving at, let the guy dies before you bury him, bro, dude is working hard to regain his stand and you are already putting him down with your negative mind, Mexican/ British/Nigerian Mindset? seriously? Bro, because you as a person have a shrinking mindset doesn’t mean all Nigerians will be like you okay? so chill.
It is going to be tough,
The battle is mainly fought psychologically.
The man in the right frame of mind would take the day.
I am throwing my neck into the field,barring unforeseeable issues,i am giving this one to Joshua.
Joshua lost the last match in the mind.
Not making excuses for Joshua,but he fought in ‘enemy’ terrority,the US; he hasn’t fought out of the UK before; he thought he could do it base on his physique,and he totally underrated Ruiz jr.
On the part of Ruiz Jr.,he was ready mentally,he was psychologically on the ascendency.he had nothing to lose,but all to gain.besides,he has always fought in the US and gotten use to the atmosphere.he had no pressure,all the pressure was on Joshua.
Now it is a different ball game.
Joshua have everything to lose,his career,his reputation and his legacy.he is down.he knows Ruiz Jr.now. He knows Ruiz jr. Is dangerous and he is the champ. They are both going to be fighting in a neutral ground.
Ruiz jr. Is the champ now.he is no longer just anybody.he needs to prove to the world he wasn’t a fluke,he is not the underdog anymore;and he knows he is fighting a wounded lion in Joshua.that is a lot.
With all that.
I think we would see the best of Joshua again.
He might be hurt by Ruiz,but I believe we would see the Joshua that fought Klistcko,he was hurt; but fought through.
Joshua is in a place of peace now,you can see his itinerary since he lost the belt.
He has gone back home to Nigeria,spent time with family,do charity,went back to his hood in Uk,where he worked as a bouncer,fought on the streets. He has gone back to that place who built him.
Joshua should get his belts back.