‘I would have loved to train the way Andy did… but that’s not the way of a champion’: Anthony Joshua jokes about Ruiz’s party lifestyle after reclaiming his heavyweight titles
- Anthony Joshua regained his belts after Saturday’s win over Andy Ruiz Jr
- Ruiz said his preparation for their rematch was affected by his partying
- Mexican-American celebrated heavily after his shock win over Joshua in June
Published: | Updated:
Anthony Joshua has jokingly said he would have loved to have copied Andy Ruiz Jr’s preparations for their latest fight by prioritising partying over training.
Joshua focused all his efforts on regaining his previously held WBA, IBF and WBO belts in the build up to his rematch with Ruiz in Saudi Arabia after he lost his unbeaten status in June.
While Joshua was giving his all in the gym to defeat his rival, Ruiz has revealed he was partying after his victory in New York made him an overnight celebrity.
Anthony Joshua joked about Andy Ruiz Jr’s preparation for Saturday’s heavyweight clash
Joshua spoke to Good Morning Britain’s Piers Morgan following his latest win in Saudi Arabia
Joshua joked he would have liked to have been able to party in the build-up to his latest win
| RUIZ JNR | ROUND | JOSHUA |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | 1 | 10 |
| 9 | 2 | 10 |
| 9 | 3 | 10 |
| 10 | 4 | 9 |
| 9 | 5 | 10 |
| 9 | 6 | 10 |
| 9 | 7 | 10 |
| 10 | 8 | 9 |
| 9 | 9 | 10 |
| 9 | `10 | 10 |
| 9 | 11 | 10 |
| 9 | 12 | 10 |
| 110 | TOTAL | 118 |
The difference in preparation showed on Saturday as Joshua displayed a boxing masterclass to defeat the Mexican-American.
Joshua, speaking to Piers Morgan during a live interview on ITV’s Good Morning Britain on Monday, said of his most recent opponent: ‘I would love to have trained the way Andy trained but in reality that’s not the way of a champion.
‘Andy can say all of these things but he knew he had a fight and he knew the best way to prepare.
‘Learning life lessons come in different forms, his was in the form of a loss.
‘He knew his mistakes.’
Ruiz admitted that his excessive partying following his victory over Joshua in June cost him in the rematch.
‘I don’t want to say three months of partying didn’t affect me because it kind of did.
‘I just want to learn from this mistake. I am glad I learnt it when I am young.’
Following his victory over Joshua in June, Ruiz bought a mansion in California and amassed a car collection worth £785,000, as reported by The Sun.
Meanwhile Joshua went on to once again defend the decision to fight in Saudi Arabia rather back home in the UK or in America again.
Critics hit out at the location of the fight due to human rights issues and the treatment of women in Saudi Arabia but Joshua said: ‘I was just focused on my fight. Neutral grounds was fine for me. From what I’ve seen, it’s a nice place.
Joshua produced an excellent performance to reclaim his heavyweight world titles
With one dominant performance in Saudi Arabia, Joshua managed to restore his reputation
Joshua fought the fight that he should have done in his original bout against Ruiz Jr
‘In terms of the regime I hadn’t diverted my attention. When I came off the plane I just saw a beautiful structure, roads, buildings and cars, I didn’t see all the things I have heard about Saudi.
‘I was expecting to come off the plane and see a war zone. There are women driving, men driving, architecture and roads.
‘All my travelling supporters got to experience that too. I’m glad we create history in Saudi Arabia.’
Let’s block ads! (Why?)