Former unified heavyweight champion Andy Ruiz is backing Oleksandr Usyk to win his upcoming rematch with Anthony Joshua, which is being targeted for a date in July.
Last September, Usyk outboxed Joshua over twelve rounds to capture the IBF, IBO, WBA, WBO heavyweight titles.
Ruiz is very familiar with Joshua.
In 2019, he shocked the world when he dropped Joshua four times for a stoppage victory to claim the heavyweight belts. But six months later in Dubai, Joshua outboxed him over twelve rounds to reclaim the titles with a dominant decision.
Most observers believe Joshua made a very big mistake by attempting to outbox Usyk, who is regarded by most as one of the best technicians in the sport.
Usyk was never in danger during the fight and slowly broke Joshua down as the contest played out. In the closing moments of the final round, Usyk had Joshua buzzed and in trouble.
If Joshua wants to get revenge, Ruiz would advise him to start letting his hands go from the very start of the fight.
“I think Joshua could pull it off. I think he needs to go in there and be aggressive, just like how he was from the beginning," Ruiz told ES News.
“Not let them dictate the fight. As long as he’s doing the pressure, throwing a lot of combinations, not letting Usyk get comfortable and throwing his little slick shots, I think he can win - but Usyk is a man of Christ, so I’m gonna be going for him.”
