The suspense in the misty air of Diriyah Arena turned to an atmosphere
of celebration as British boxer Anthony Joshua reclaims his
heavyweight titles. Joshua’s tense rematch with Andy Ruiz remains one
of the most significant moments in 2019 for the world of boxing.
Andy Ruiz stunned the world six months ago at the Madison Square
Garden in New York after a big upset that ended in a technical
knockout. Ruiz, an underdog, knocked Joshua to the canvass four times
before the referee stopped the fight in the seventh round after a
flurry of punches from Ruiz. On that night, Ruiz made history as the
first boxer of Mexican descent to become a heavyweight title winner.
In last night’s rematch, the world saw a different Anthony Joshua with
rare mettle and prowess required for success in the boxing ring. His
athleticism, technicalities, and sportsmanship were on display as the
world stood still to watch a resilient fighter reclaim his lost
titles. It was an emotional moment for Joshua who had a sweet return
to the number one spot in the heavyweight boxing division. He won in
style and became a two-time world heavyweight champion with a
unanimous victory over Andy Ruiz.
During the build-up to the match, there were fears if Joshua had the
mental fortitude to fight his demons and go for a win. Last night, he
reassured his teeming fans and answered lots of questions. Those
answers came with quick jabs, timely hooks, and calculated movements,
all delivered in a 36 minutes show of strength.
In this historical moment, there are lessons to learn from a man that
came back from the dead to knock out the same person that gifted him
his first career defeat.
Ahead of his much-anticipated fight with Ruiz in Saudi Arabia, Anthony
Joshua paid homage to his Nigerian roots. The British boxer with
Nigerian parents chose a tune by Nigerian multi-talented musician Fela
Kuti as his entrance song.
The song, “Water No Get Enemy” by Fela, a trailblazer of Afrobeat
music and a fearless human rights activist, was perfect for the
occasion and a precursor for a historic night. During Joshua’s visit
to Nigeria in July, he stopped by at Fela’s shrine in Lagos, where
Femi Kuti showed him around. This victorious match reminded everyone
of Fela’s undying legacy.
Stay hungry for a win
There are no friends in the ring, and the best way to come out of the
ring victorious is by inflicting damage on the opponent. In the first
match in New York, it was apparent that Joshua lacked the hunger
needed for victory. After hitting the canvas in the third round,
Joshua appeared lost and uncoordinated; he struggled through the
remaining rounds before the referee waved the fight off.
In the rematch, it was evident that Joshua was hungry for a victory.
He was there to prove a point and retrieve his lost belts that were on
exile to California. The hunger reflected in the superb head and body
movement aimed at dodging Ruiz’s punches. If there were anything
Joshua learned after his defeat, it would be to stay hungry in the
face of any opposition.
Stick to the game plan
Before his first match with Ruiz, everyone was used to Joshua
decapitating his opponents before the final round with an exception
for the bout with Joseph Parker. For many of the fans, they wanted to
see an angry Joshua in the ring with a flurry of punches to revenge
his humiliating loss in June. It was not a big ask from a man that has
21 knockouts out of 22 professional wins. Let the “champ” do the magic
again. While that seems like a brilliant plan that could drive the
fans wild, it would have placed Joshua in a vulnerable position
resulting in a second defeat. It would have been a blatant display
power without tactfulness.
It is quite understandable if the critics wanted a spectacular match,
but often, the key to victory is taking calculated risks and not doing
what everyone expects. Joshua understood the difference between
showmanship and professionalism. He took the stance of a professional
pugilist and displayed a tactical understanding of the sport to wear
out his opponent.
Boxing is all about taking well-timed punches and avoid getting hit.
That was the gameplan, and a disciplined Joshua stuck to the plan from
start to finish. Joshua never allowed Ruiz to lock him a close range
that is advantageous to a speedy boxer like Ruiz. He made use of his
long legs by pacing in the ring, which not only frustrated his
opponent but prevented Ruiz from landing his punches in a close range.
Those powerful jabs courtesy of Joshua’s long-range paid off in the
match against his Mexican rival. Joshua practically animated Mohammed
Ali’s words, “Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee. The hands
can’t hit what the eyes can’t see.”
Stay focused on the prize
On the road to success, the focus is paramount. In the build-up to the
rematch, Joshua was under immense pressure, and he could not afford a
second defeat. In the ring, it’s hard to stay focused on a plan after
suffering a devastating hit. However, it pays to stay focused and
avoid any unexpected complications from surprise hooks. Before the
rematch, Joshua was hard on himself with a laser-focused training
regimen. He trimmed his weight to 237 pounds, his lowest in five years
(lost 10 pounds in six months). It takes focus and discipline to do
that.
In sharp contrast to Joshua’s approach, Andy Ruiz added 16 pounds to
his chubby frame, which impacted his movement in the ring. It’s hard
to keep up with six months of uninterrupted media attention and sudden
fame.
Bouncing back from an embarrassing loss is hard. But Joshua forgot
about the mixed feelings of the past and focused on the next 36
minutes of his life in the ring – the moment that decides what happens
next in his boxing career. With eyes on the prize and a heart bent on
winning, he earned his titles back amidst cheers and applause from a
satisfied audience.
Punch your fears in the face
Preceding the match in New York, Joshua was an undefeated unified
heavyweight champion. Although he had a close shave with defeat in his
match against Wladimir Klitschko, he bounced back after a knockdown in
the sixth round. His first taste of defeat in his professional career
was against Ruiz in June, and he lost to an underdog that was unknown
to anyone before the match.
The fears of losing again must have haunted Joshua in the past few
months, but his fighting spirit during the rematch showed the traits
of a champion. Former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson once said, “Fear
is just like fire; it can be helpful if you know how to use it. If
not, you will get burned.” Our fears are as strong as the belief we
put in them. Joshua stepped into the ring and used his fears to his
advantage; he faced his demons and punched them until they got
exhausted.
Osho, a mechanical engineer, award-winning writer and public speaker,
writes from Canada.
