Trainer: Joshua Was Not 100% in First Ruiz Fight, Won Rematch Comfortably

Robert McCracken, the head trainer of IBF, WBO, WBA, IBO heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua, believes too many critics are focusing on his boxers' defeat at the hands of Andy Ruiz.

Back in June of 2019, Joshua was dropped four times and stopped in the seventh when he faced Ruiz at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

Six months later in Saudi Arabia, Joshua easily outboxed Ruiz over twelve rounds to recapture the unified crown.

This Saturday night at the SSE Arena at Wembley, Joshua will return to the ring for the first time since that victory.

In the other corner will be once-beaten IBF mandatory challenger Kubrat Pulev, who suffered his sole defeat back in 2014 to then unified champion Wladimir Klitschko.

McCracken is confident his boxer is more than ready to put on a show this weekend.
 
“He’s had a great camp, he really enjoys boxing – we’ve been doing more boxing sessions, two a day in some cases so he’s been really enjoying that. He’s sparring great, his athleticism is brilliant, and his physical strength is phenomenal. That’s what people don’t realise when they get in the ring with him, how he can move and how strong he is," McCracken said.

“He’s worked long and hard on the discipline, doesn’t underestimate anybody and takes everyone seriously. He’s not unified champion for no reason, he’s a fantastic fighter and he’ll only get better. This is a good fight for him and one we look forward to.
 
“Anthony fights the very best fighters out there, that’s why he’s achieved what he has achieved and why he’s got the name he’s got – he doesn’t duck anybody. Kubrat Pulev is one of the best out there, he’s a really good fighter, but I believe Anthony’s a better fighter that’s why he’s the champ and we believe he’ll prove that Saturday night.
 
“I think he’s gone through a learning experience; he’s wasn’t 100% going into the first Ruiz fight. We took the rematch and he won it comfortably, we always thought he would. Ruiz is a very good fighter, a very strong underestimated boxer. Anthony’s Olympic Champion, Unified Champion, he’s going from strength to strength. He’s enjoyed the camp, he’s been disciplined, on point and Saturday night can’t come soon enough.”