Is Andy Ruiz good or did Joshua just mess up that badly in the first fight?

I think the second fight proves even more, that Ruiz Junior is a good fighter 'Joshua has had months to prepare and analyse Ruiz Junior'. But even still? Yes he got the win but his performance was not emphatic, and for 12 rounds Ruiz Junior looked to be the more dangerous fighter offensively. This is a turning point in Joshua's career, because he has now met a fighter who? Seemingly to a extent was invulnerable to his power, and not massively intimidated by him inside of the ring 'Anthony Joshua knows this, and it has shook him' Anthony Joshua is still shaken up, just like Tyson Fury is shook from Deontay Wilder. If anything AJ's strategy was a sign of respect for what happened in the first fight. I'm sure Joshua would have liked nothing more than to blast Ruiz out and he actually tried to on a few occasions. Andy has a great chin, though and when he returned fire with heat of his own, AJ knew from the first fight that it was better to box from distance than give Andy a puncher's chance by exchanging too much.

He was rated in the Ring magazine top-10 in 2016 and 2017 before dropping out in 2018 due to inactivity. Thanks for pointing this out. People forgot this....

Cuz I keep going back and forth on it..... Like all day....... I believe that both statements are true. Contrary to popular belief, Andy Ruiz Jr. is not simply a journeyman who got luck. He was rated in the Ring magazine top-10 in 2016 and 2017 before dropping out in 2018 due to inactivity. Ruiz has fast hands and his greatest strength is his ability to exchange at mid-range. Joshua did mess up badly in the first fight by going in for the kill prematurely, however Andy still had to be good enough to exploit that.

This and this. Ruiz because of his chin, combinations, and decent power can probably out bang most if not all the current heavyweights. I also think Joshua because of the Wilder performance was under pressure to do a demolition job...he had no reason to believe that once hurting Ruiz he shouldn't go in for the kill based on past experiences. He learned a painful lesson but I think he'll be a better fighter moving forward. He'll probably be a bit more observant once he hurts a fighter too. Ruiz was not some great mystery, hes a good fighter. But if you watch the parker fight, hes essentially the same guy. Parker boxed him from the outside but when he stood still or exchanged he got banged up. Most guys cant move for a full 12 though so he will have his successes Moving forward for Ruiz, he might have problems making too fights because he's Hugh risk low reward based on the excuse he gave after the last fight. Many new fans he gained deserted him.

I think he's a good HW. I'm interested in seeing what happens next with him. Hopefully can still be motivated/get back his motivation after 2 big paydays.

I think the second fight proves even more, that Ruiz Junior is a good fighter 'Joshua has had months to prepare and analyse Ruiz Junior'. But even still? Yes he got the win but his performance was not emphatic, and for 12 rounds Ruiz Junior looked to be the more dangerous fighter offensively. This is a turning point in Joshua's career, because he has now met a fighter who? Seemingly to a extent was invulnerable to his power, and not massively intimidated by him inside of the ring 'Anthony Joshua knows this, and it has shook him' Anthony Joshua is still shaken up, just like Tyson Fury is shook from Deontay Wilder.

Joshua is just too chinny to stand his ground like he used to. Andy will keep you honest and that's why AJ had to drastically change his style and physique. There are too many holes for him to take chances on getting cracked. AJ fought under a lot of pressure to impress because of 1st round demolition of breazeale. Note: don't put yourself under pressure because of your rival. This and this. Ruiz because of his chin, combinations, and decent power can probably out bang most if not all the current heavyweights. I also think Joshua because of the Wilder performance was under pressure to do a demolition job...he had no reason to believe that once hurting Ruiz he shouldn't go in for the kill based on past experiences. He learned a painful lesson but I think he'll be a better fighter moving forward. He'll probably be a bit more observant once he hurts a fighter too. Ruiz was not some great mystery, hes a good fighter. But if you watch the parker fight, hes essentially the same guy. Parker boxed him from the outside but when he stood still or exchanged he got banged up. Most guys cant move for a full 12 though so he will have his successes

AJ fought under a lot of pressure to impress because of 1st round demolition of breazeale. Note: don't put yourself under pressure because of your rival.

It's a bit of both. Ruiz has talent. His hand speed is obvious, but the first fight was definitely more of Joshua messing up than Ruiz actually winning the fight. Just watch the fight over again. First 2 rounds, Ruiz does nothing but move forward and doesn't even do a great job of cutting of the ring, similar to the rematch. In the third, Joshua drops him with a beautiful combination, right uppercut, left hook. Once Ruiz was hurt, Joshua should've just fought the way he fought in the rematch. But instead, he decided to jump right in a finish off Ruiz and basically gave Ruiz the only chance he had of beating him and Ruiz took that chance by landing a left hook. Joshua never recovered from that shot and was in autopilot for the rest of the fight. But the real Ruiz was the one in the first 2.5 rounds of first fight, and the 12 rounds of the rematch.

most people from my anecdotal observations seemed to have him beating parker so he's at least pretty good. hes not like baldomir

Couldn't hang with Ruiz in a dog fight so he kept it long weird optics though definitely not a good look

Both. Ruiz is a good fighter, despite appearances. I thought so before he fought AJ. Joshua got caught unawares in that first fight, both psychologically (last minute replacement) and physically (temple shot). But I think we saw what the true reality was in the second fight. Even though Andy came in less than optimal, he would still lose most times versus Josh.

Ruiz is very good, probably as well schooled as anyone in the division but he’s also relatively short and fat. If you go right at his shortness and fatness (stay out of his reach) you got a good chance of beating him.

His weakness (poor trading skills) just got taken advantage of by Ruiz, who’s only strength is combo’s/trading. Reason why Whyte and Klitschko didn’t do the same thing after winning the trade was because they aren’t combo puncher’s. All Joshua had to do was not hang inside to let Ruiz flurry on him. Easy, simple.

Andy was out of shape. AJ came with a game plan and Andy was in no shape to disrupt it.

I'd pick a pre-Wilder Ortiz to beat Ruiz easily. After getting knocked out twice by the biggest puncher in the sport though, I'm not sure where I put Ortiz. I think I'd slightly favor him but just slightly. Could be interesting if it happens end of next year. Far more interesting than if it happens next.

Andy is very good...when he is in SEMI Shape :lol1: The Man became a Millionaire and Famous overnight after possibly considering getting a Regular Job when things wasn't looking so good for him while he was stuck in a deal with Bob Arum. Went from that to a decent Purse vs Alexander Dimitrenko to MILLIONS vs AJ then even more in the rematch. The Hunger outside of the ring got bigger but the Hunger in it went away because at that point it was like "Win Or Lose I Walk Away With 7-8 Figures" Not to discredit AJ in anyway, made the proper adjustments and got the WIN! Yes being exciting is preferable for us the boxing fans but for the Boxer...WINNING should always be 1st Priority not F#CKING Excitement. Get your belts Back and you can be more exciting in another less dangerous fight. Did exactly what Big George Foreman Suggested as well as Wlad I'm sure which was... "Jab, Jab, Hold" a tactic I never had a problem with regardless if it was Wlad, Vitali, Andre Ward or B-Hop doing it. My thing always was their Opponents needs to figure out how to combat their styles instead of crying about it after the fight

Yeah, he'll be a safety first guy against bigger punches now for sure. It'll probably even add years to his career. Was thinking that the PBC probably pushes for Ruiz-Ortiz on that side. Can't say I like that fight for Ruiz even if I think he could compete with old King Kong. I'd pick a pre-Wilder Ortiz to beat Ruiz easily. After getting knocked out twice by the biggest puncher in the sport though, I'm not sure where I put Ortiz. I think I'd slightly favor him but just slightly.

Joshua is just too chinny to stand his ground like he used to. Andy will keep you honest and that's why AJ had to drastically change his style and physique. There are too many holes for him to take chances on getting cracked. Yeah, he'll be a safety first guy against bigger punchers now for sure. It'll probably even add years to his career. Was thinking that the PBC probably pushes for Ruiz-Ortiz on that side. Can't say I like that fight for Ruiz even if I think he could compete with old King Kong.

Joshua is just too chinny to stand his ground like he used to. Andy will keep you honest and that's why AJ had to drastically change his style and physique. There are too many holes for him to take chances on getting cracked. I agree with this for the most part. It will be interesting if he keeps this new style going foward.