Anthony Joshua claims that he would not regard regaining the world heavyweight title from Andy Ruiz as a special moment, because he says he has much more to achieve in his boxing career.
Speaking at the final head-to-head press conference for Saturday’s fight in Diriyah, Joshua played down the significance of the task ahead of him.
“I was asked if it would be a special moment, but I said no,” Joshua said. “I know I belong there, I know what I am capable of doing. It’s not a time to celebrate, it’s a time to keep that challenger mentality and move on.”
The hospitality suite at the Diriyah arena was the biggest room they could find in this area, but it was not nearly big enough for hordes of media and hangers-on that wanted to get in.
The tables have literally turned since their first meeting in New York in June, with Ruiz’s end holding all the title belts.
“It’s interesting to be on this side of the table,” Joshua said.
“I challenged for a world title in my 16th fight. This is my fourth title challenge in a short place of time. Even when you are champion, you always have to have a challenger mindset.
“I call it back to 16, back to my 16th fight. I’m hungry, determined and focused on the goal.”
Joshua said that the defeat had given him a chance to reflect on what he had lost, as well as what he had achieved in his career to date.
“I’ve been in boxing a while now and when I came into boxing, I didn’t come to take part, I came to take over, with full force, fully committed,” he said. “The focus has already been there but I never had a chance to reflect. European Championships, World Championships, Olympics, British title, world title, boom, boom, boom, boom boom. I am not here to put on a show, I am just here to win.
“I’ve been around the block in this game in a short space of time. So I have to understand that I am definitely experienced, I know what I am doing.
“Me and Andy are very different, but the only thing that all of us in this room have in common is time. I have had to use my time very wisely. I didn’t lose any heart, I didn’t lose any fire in my belly. I’m just really looking forward to it.
“There’s no fear in my heart, no fear in my eyes, no fear in my mind.”
For the press conference, Ruiz wore the same New York Knicks top that he wore ahead of their first fight. He insisted that he was well prepared for whatever Joshua sends his way in the rematch.
“June 1, I made my dreams come true,” Ruiz said. “There’s really not much to say other than I am ready to rock and roll.
“I know he has lost weight, I know he is planning to box me around. It’s just my job to prevent that, I am ready for what comes my way.”
Ruiz’s trainer, Manny Robles, said the champion had not lost any focus wince winning the titles, although he expected Joshua to bring a different challenge than for the first fight.
“It’s been three months of preparation, which is something we didn’t have for the first fight,” Robles said. “Andy has had a great camp, he is physically and mentally prepared. We understand that we have a tough task in front of us in Anthony Joshua.
“It’s definitely a different fight. We are not over-confident, that’s why we work hard, we have taken this fight seriously. Andy knows how hard I have been on him in the camp.”
