Andy (the destroyer) Ruiz was a no-name when he first fought Joshua. Prior to his AJ fight, he wasn't in most top 10 rankings and would fight for small money. Now he has found fame and relevance but he remains relevant only if he fights decent fighters and shows a good account of himself.
So, what could be his plan now that Ruiz Sr. 3 fight plan seems out of the window.
1. Wilder
2. Ortiz
3. Parker/Povetkin/Whyte
4. Jerell Miller/Kownacki/Hunter
If he immediately fights a lower-level opponent or doesn't look good, his ambitions to a rematch will dwindle to oblivion.
Big fights, if he is smart? Maybe he signs with Eddie Hearn. I don't see many heavyweights wanting to face him. 'The available fights for him are Ortiz, Kownacki, Whyte, maybe Tyson Fury if he beats Wilder 'As I believe stylistically Fury will sign that fight in a instant'.
I don't want to see him step down a level in his next fight, he has to keep at this level. 'I don't even think it was a bad performance from him last night' Joshua for the first time in his career, was kind of bulled backwards all night.
How about a Deontay Wilder fight? They are pals that text each other to say how crap Joshua is and they were all about fighting each other anyway. So if for some reason the Fury fight dont happen, Wilder v Ruiz.
Other than Wilder Ruiz can fight who ever. Its not the end of Andys world to lose to AJ. His stock should still be higher now than it was before he took on Joshua in June. Its a shame ppl are not impressed with the weight though, if there was ever a fight where you dont lose focus in training camp its that rematch. The level of commitment from Ruiz and his team is very disappointing really.
If Ruiz has any ambition left how about Ruiz v Dillian Whyte? Im sure the WBC could wangle it as another eliminator for Whyte, the WBC have no problem changing the rules and moving the goalposts for PBC fighters. Whyte v Ruiz would be an interesting fight id be happy to watch.
IF he can work hard again, he can make some money before retiring. Its not easy to stay in shape and in top condition. A lot of boxers lose motivation.
He needs a big target where he's the underdog trying to come back to have some motivation. Whyte could be a good opponent as they both need to get back in shape. Or go back and avenge the Parker loss (if Parker is willing).
Ruiz does not care what's next because he was paid to throw the fight last night, he's been boxing since he was 6 years old and he just realized that getting so fat before the most important fight of his life was a bad idea? To me it looks like, who cares what happens Hearn promised me a 3rd fight against Joshua anyway after Josh boy beats Cruiserweight Usyk. That way Joshua has two easy fights and he can keep ducking wilder and fury.
That's up to him and how hard he's willing to work. He's still a top 5 heavyweight, realistically. Aj has what, a 98% ko ratio? and ruiz has 1 win over him and 1 fight where he had him fighting scared and couldn't knock him out.
One thing is for sure though, i'm never putting money on Ruiz again.
Explain how not standing still and letting your opponent hit you means you're fighting scared?
Get in shape, British world tour. Problem is that ten mil is gonna make a new man out of him like that Mayweather money did maidana and mcgregor and many before