Minor Setback for a Major Comeback...........

[KTFOKING]

Or will we see the more of the same in the rematch?

Is Ruiz just a terrible styles match up for Joshua with how short and quick he is and just flat out having a better chin? Or will Joshua be more prepared for the rematch and try to control the fight with his jab?

[diplo]

It's not a bad style match up. Joshua should have absolutely dominated that, with the aim of gassing out Ruiz by mid way, if not scoring a KO before that. It should have been a mismatch. It's not like Ruiz has Zab Judah fast hands. Ruiz didn't look like anything remarkable or special, but he was determined, stuck with a good game plan, and did a great job. Joshua looked really really strange.

[BigZ44]

Obviously a lot will change between now and when the rematch takes place, but I'm not optimistic of AJ's chances. Hard sport to survive in once your flaws are exposed

[JimRaynor]

Ruiz is a tailored made style matchup for someone of AJ's size. All he had to do was jab and throw an occasional right hand Wlad style. He hurt and knocked him down in the 3rd round, he should've just built off that by not going for broke. If he methodically went after him after the KD Ruiz would've given him respect the whole fight.

[KTFOKING]

Obviously a lot will change between now and when the rematch takes place, but I'm not optimistic of AJ's chances. Hard sport to survive in once your flaws are exposed

The Wlad fight made him a bit gun shy and the numbers back that up. Though, some of it has to do with the competition improving. However, it could very well just come down to that Ruiz has a better chin and he can take what Joshua dishes out, but the opposite isn't true here. Can Joshua fend Ruiz off for 12 rounds and will his stamina hold up? I feel he needs to fight a very tactical and pretty much boring fight in the rematch to pull it off. Joshua can hurt Ruiz, but it seems clear you just aren't going to blow Ruiz out of there.

One thing about this fight that gives me pause about Joshua's chances are just how badly those body shots hurt him. My goodness, they just killed him in the late part of the 6th round and he was done after that.

All I know is I can't wait for the rematch and am not ready to count Joshua out by any means. He can still be THAT dude if he avenges this loss and beats the winner of Wilder/Fury.

[KTFOKING]

Ruiz is a tailored made style matchup for someone of AJ's size. All he had to do was jab and throw an occasional right hand Wlad style. He hurt and knocked him down in the 3rd round, he should've just built off that by not going for broke. If he methodically went after him after the KD Ruiz would've given him respect the whole fight.

The thing is, Ruiz while short is great at slipping shots and coming back with his fast counters. From the first round every time Joshua tried to come with his right hand, Ruiz would slip and throw his hook. Even if it wasn't always landing, it clearly made Joshua a bit hesitant. But Joshua is going to have to fight super tactical in the rematch and his jab has to be on point and he may even have to clinch a lot more. Only worry there is that Ruiz is good on the inside and can sneak in some body shots and uppercuts.