By "Bigtime" Tim Kudgis
This past Monday on ATG Radio, we had the chance to sit down with Top Rank heavyweight prospect Andy Ruiz (19-0). On 7/27 LIVE on HBO 2, Ruiz will be squaring off with fellow undefeated HW prospect Joe Hanks (20-0) in a fight that can catapult the winner into title contention. When speaking to Ruiz we had the chance to cover several topics. Here is what he had to say:
His thoughts on Joe Hanks:
Joe Hanks is pretty tall and pretty fast. He is pretty strong. I think I my speed and pressure and throwing combinations left and right, moving the head, just going forward and sticking to the game plan. I think I will be too much for him.
On whether will he be looking for a KO:
I am going to stick with the game plan. The game plan is to win. I am going to use my speed, jab and combinations. That is what people want to see. They don't want to see a heavyweight that throws just one punch or two punches. They want to see a different kind of heavyweight that throws punches like a smaller weight does. The plan is to throw the combinations, let the hands go and hopefully the KO will come.
On his fight with Joe Hanks:
Top Rank and the matchmaker are the ones doing all of the fights and matchmaking. The fight with Joe Hanks is a good fight. I sparred with him when I was 16-17 years old and didn't have a problem with him when I was sparring him. I think it will be a good fight. He has fought with people who that really weren't that super good. When was the last time he fought? I think it was February. He hasn't been active and I am ready to go!
On Tyson Fury's trash talk about being able to KO any Heavyweight:
There is always trash talkers. This is pro boxing not pro talking shit game. I like to do my talking in the ring. I don't like to talk shit outside of the ring. I like let the talking get done in the ring. That is the kind of guy I am. I don't like to call out people. I don't like to beat like I can beat this guy or this and that. I am a real mellow guy. I like to meet up in the ring and let it happen.
On facing the likes of Fury and or Wilder:
Sure of course. As long as my promoter and manager are fine with it, I am ready to go. I train hard. A lot of people don't think so but I work hard. I am only 19-0 and I think they have over 20 fights like 25 or 26. I am pretty sure sometime next year we will go at it.
On facing Deontay Wilder
Deontay Wilder is a good fighter too. In 2008, I went to China with him. I think it was the pre-Olympics. I don't know but I think I would do good with him. I do better with taller people that are pretty fast than shorter people. I am with it if the promoter and matchmaker is says it's right. I'm with it. Whatever I have to do to get my name up there in the rankings so if it is him I am with it.
To hear more from Andy Ruiz Jr. or to hear the interview in it's entirety go to ATGRADIO.COM!
Tim Kudgis is a co-host/producer of ATG Radio which airs every Monday & Wednesday from 7pm-9pm PST. He also proudly covers the AZ Boxing scene for Boxingscene.com. For more from Tim or ATG Radio check out ATGRADIO.com
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