Sports

Joshua beats Ruiz Jr to reclaim WHB titles

…pockets £46m

 

Anthony Joshua avenged his defeat against Andy Ruiz Jr back in June as
he emerged victorious via unanimous points decision in their world
heavyweight title rematch in Saudi Arabia on Saturday night.
It was a different Joshua on parade in the rematch as he served up 36
minutes of movement and well-timed punching to reclaim IBF, WBA and
WBO titles.
After the end of the 12 rounds contest, the judges scored it 118-110
118-110 and 119-109 all in favour of Joshua.
The win saw Joshua become a two-time world heavyweight champion and
now joins boxing greats which include Muhammad Ali, Lennox Lewis,
Evander Holyfield, Mike Tyson and Floyd Patterson to reclaim the world
heavyweight title.
After cutting his Mexican rival inside the first round Joshua never
looked back and picked out smart jabs and right hands throughout.
Ruiz, the bookmakers’ underdog again, was cut above his left eye in
the first round but landed two jabs of his own in the second but ended
up taking a left hook.
Meanwhile, the new world champion, Joshua came out on top in his
crucial heavyweight rematch with Andy Ruiz Jr – and he has pocketed a
mouthwatering £46m purse.
It was a night to savour for AJ, who Starsport understands will be
taking home a whopping £46m for his triumph in the ‘Clash on the
Dunes’.
That is more than double the previous high set by Ricky Hatton when he
collected £20m in his Stateside clash with Floyd Mayweather back in
2007.
Joshua’s career earnings have now surpassed the £100m mark thanks to
his stunning Saudi deal.
The biggest purse he had received prior to his pivotal rematch with
Ruiz was the £18m he swept up in the first fight at Madison Square
Garden.
Ruiz has raked in just over £10m for his part in the second bout,
which is double the £5m he took in New York on June 1.


…why I lost – Ruiz

Andy Ruiz Jr blamed losing his rematch with Anthony Joshua in Saudi
Arabia on poor fight preparation, which in turn led to him weighing
15lbs more than when he beat AJ at Madison Square Garden in June.
Joshua regained his three world titles with a unanimous points win
over the Mexican, who looked sluggish compared to the fighter who
knocked the Briton out in the seventh round last time around.
Ruiz Jnr told Sky Sports: “I didn’t prepare how I should’ve and gained
too much weight. He won and outboxed me but best believe if we do a
third fight I’m going to get in the best shape of my life.
“I thought I was going to feel stronger and better but next fight I
admit I’m going to be more prepared. I was chasing him instead of
cutting the rings. I felt like I couldn’t throw my combinations.”
Ruiz Jr called for a third battle after his defeat, to round off the
trilogy which currently stands at 1-1.
But he was humble in defeat, as Joshua was when he tasted defeat for
the first time in his career in New York.


Atiku, Ogun Gov, Oliseh, congratulate Joshua

Former Nigeria internationals Sunday Oliseh, Osaze Odenwingie and
former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, have congratulated Anthony
Joshua following his win against Andy Ruiz Jr in Saudi Arabia on
Saturday, Completesports.com reports.
Joshua avenged his loss to Ruiz back in June this year with a
unanimous points decision win.
The win saw Joshua reclaim the IBF, WBA and WBO titles, now making him
a two-time world heavyweight champion.
Reacting to the win Abubakar expressed delight that Joshua has finally
reclaimed the world titles.
“Great to see @anthonyfjoshua reclaim the championship. A good fight,”
Abubakar wrote on his Twitter handle.
Oliseh wrote:”So relieved and pleased to see our Nigerian pride
Anthony Joshua regain his title as World Heavyweight champion,
defeating Ruiz. Loved his gratitude to God first, after the victory.
Boy  was I stressed.”
And according to Odenwingie: “Different skillset from AJ. Live and
learn. Reacted sensibly (lost some weight and no complacency) Congrats
@anthonyfjoshua. Don’t judge a book by its cover @Andy_destroyer1 With
God all things are possible. He is a good fighter and very strong
mentally.”

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