I gave it a 7 because he didnt win by KO but it was a loop sided performance.
Ruiz had no chance whatsoever.
Avoid unnecessary engagement, stink and move, that was high technical.
It was about a 6 IMO, and then I think I'm probably just giving it a point extra because I was there. It was a solid enough performance from Joshua, it was a sharp and disciplined display of boxing, but then again that was against an opponent who made it easy for him. Ruiz already had the blueprint to at least give Joshua trouble from the first fight, if he'd fought in the same way he did in New York but kicked it up a gear he probably would have at least given himself a chance to put Joshua under pressure and make it happen, but obviously he wasn't prepared physically or strategically for the rematch and the rest is history. A lot of people wrote Joshua off and he deserves credit for bouncing back, but I think that credit is kind of cancelled out by the fact that he really should have beaten Ruiz the first time.
Perhaps, I am being a bit harsh but in my opinion that win goes unrated. Andy Ruiz was an overmatched, set up and cherrypicked opponent who didn't deserve a rematch or let alone belong in the same ring as Anthony Joshua in their first meeting.
Furthermore, Ruiz he took the fight on short notice without so much as getting enough time to get in boxing shape or conditioning and yet he had done the unthinkable. I apologize but you don't get credit for something that you were already supposed to do.
He dominated Ruiz and got over a mental hurdle of suffering his first defeat months prior. Joshua deserves credit of how quickly he was able to right his wrong and how easy he made the rematch to be. Sure, Ruiz came out of shape but that isn't Joshua's fault.
I gave him a 3. He won every round from an out of shape blubber butt Ruiz. But he fought scared and took no risks after he promised a brutal revenge KO of Ruiz. He followed his game plan to win and not get hurt but it was a dull fight and he didn't fight like a great champion he claims to be.
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