Wilder Backs Ruiz To Beat Joshua Again

Deontay Wilder thinks that Andy Ruiz Jr ‘has Anthony Joshua’s number’ and will triumph in Saturday night’s rematch.

Mexican-American Ruiz pulled off a huge shock in the original fight at Madison Square Gardens, New York, earlier this year when he stopped the British superstar in the seventh round.

That handed the ‘Destroyer’ the biggest victory of his career to date and the WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO heavyweight belts.

And the pair’s heavyweight division rival Wilder reckons Ruiz will win again when he reunites with Joshua in Saudi Arabia this weekend – while hitting back at claims that the champion won the first bout with a “lucky punch”.

“I really do think he has his number,” Wilder told Business Insider.

“There’s no way [Ruiz Jr.] can be a lucky puncher. This man landed multiple times, that’s a lot of lucky punches.”

Wilder is no stranger to rematches, having taken on Bermaine Stiverne and Luis Ortiz twice – with a second clash with Tyson Fury coming up next February.

The American won each of his rematches and has told Ruiz that he has the mental advantage on Joshua due to his win last time.

“We’re in a dangerous sport,” Wilder said.

“Somebody’s gonna get knocked out and you just hope it’s not gonna be you.”

“I’m telling you, from a fighter’s point of view, when you’re knocking a guy down like that multiple times, you know what to expect and know what to do the second time.

“Try and do the same thing you did the first time, the second time. “You’ve figured out his weaknesses.”