Did Andy Ruiz ruin Anthony Joshua?

[ShoulderRoll]

AJ was flying high and the next big thing. He was going to make his triumphant debut on American soil at the fabled Madison Square Garden...and that night is when the wheels fell off.

Seems to me he hasn't been the same since.

[baroidi]

I don't think anyone would disagree, but he still could've redeemed himself in the rematch, but absolutely fought scared against Fat Andy who didn't even bother training and just ate pizzas. Hearn and his PR team had Brit casuals believing that Joshua had turned into a masterful boxer by skillfully staying on the outside, but in reality Ruiz jr was an immobile blob, any semi fit HW on that day could've done what Joshua did. Joshua's chin was cracked by Wlad, but was totally shattered by Ruiz jr, and they can't glue it back.

[deathofaclown]

Probably, it’s been a process though

he started getting slightly more timid over time since Wlad almost put his lights out, there was definitely a change in him after that. He still had a few good wins after against bums and old men. When he fought Parker he was showing signs of not wanting to engage like he used to. In my opinion, that fight would’ve been interesting if the ref let Parker fight.

the ref helped him out in the Takam fight too. AJ had a bust nose and was panicking and gassing. He missed a 3 punching combination with air shots and the ref jumped in. He was getting distressed in that fight once his nose was bleeding.

But certainly there was a much bigger change after the Ruiz fight.

[TMLT87]

I think the Ruiz effect probably gets overblown. Would beating Ruiz that night have lead to him being able to beat Usyk? I doubt it.

['b']

Big Baby Miller ruined AJ, Ruiz just finished the job.

[Rockybigblower]

I think the Ruiz effect probably gets overblown. Would beating Ruiz that night have lead to him being able to beat Usyk? I doubt it.

I agree. The Ruiz fight may have sped up the inevitable...but thats about it. The problem with AJ is that he is a frontrunner. Hes happy to lead...but if someone pushes back...hes never up for the fight. The Takam fight...as mentioned previously...was a prime example. AJ was burning out in that fight...and was 100 percent going to lose if the ref hadnt saved him....so the end could have come much sooner if he wasnt given A side treatment.

[hugh grant]

Maybe wlad did? But probably people don't see Josh as unbeatable after loss

[Apollo7]

I wouldn't say so. There would always be guys he can beat and guys he would struggle to beat.

The Ruiz fight does appear to have made him a little less gung ho but that's necessary if you don't have a great chin, therefore in essence it may even have made him a better fighter who is less likely to get KO'd.

[ShoulderRoll]

I think the Ruiz effect probably gets overblown. Would beating Ruiz that night have lead to him being able to beat Usyk? I doubt it.

If he hadn't gotten stopped by Andy maybe he would be more aggressive and wouldn't have become confused about what style he should fight with.

I saw him try to get aggressive in the Ruiz rematch but then backed off when Andy returned fire. It's like his psyche permanently changed.

[M312]

I think AJ/Ruiz 2 is the issue actually.

He boxed supremely to win, and AJ then thought that was the best way to go. He's been a little confused about his style since then.