Lennox Lewis: Andy Ruiz Should Make First Defense in Mexico

Former undisputed heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis is still standing firm that Anthony Joshua should hook himself up with a new training team.

Joshua recently stated that he plans to continue his relationship with head trainer Robert McCracken.

Earlier this month at Madison Square Garden in New York City, Joshua suffered the first defeat of his pro career when he was shockingly stopped in seven rounds by huge underdog Andy Ruiz.

Joshua (22-1, 21 KOs) went down four times, and then the contest was finally waved off in the seventh.

In the opinion of Lewis, the young boxer needs to learn new skills from a new coach - and former champion and Hall of Famer George Foreman offered to guide Joshua along.

“I know George Foreman put his name out there. He needs someone of that caliber to talk to,” said Lewis.

“George helped my career just by commentating on my fights. I’d listen to him. If I was in a fight and he said, ‘he’s not throwing that jab enough’ or ‘he’s not being authoritative with the jab’, I would go away and train. Then I’d be authoritative with that jab. Because that’s what George said. He knows – he’s been there.”

Lewis was very surprised when Joshua was defeated. He gives Ruiz a lot of credit for upsetting the long odds.

Joshua has exercised the immediate rematch clause. The second fight will take place at the end of the year.

“To accomplish being heavyweight champion of the world, the way he did it. He really did an excellent job. Congratulations to him,” Lewis said.

“I’m very happy with him and for him. What he’s done is history. For Mexico, this is history. And for me, his first defense should be in Mexico. The whole country would come out for him. I think [the second one] would be a great fight too.”