While Anthony Joshua entered Saturday's heavyweight championship fight appearing leaner and more athletic, his opponent, Andy Ruiz, was more than 15 pounds heavier than when they met in June.
Not surprisingly, the outcome of their rematch in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, was a unanimous decision victory for Joshua, who avenged his loss to Ruiz and once again became heavyweight champion.
Joshua bounced around the ring, fighting a smart, tactical fight, and mostly stayed out of trouble against the hard-hitting Ruiz. Joshua earned praise on social media from many throughout the sports and entertainment world for his performance, while some criticized Ruiz for coming in out of shape.
Please Mr. Ruiz don't pretend with 30 secs left that you want to fight, you had 12 rds to go get inside and fight. What time is Shake Shack open to in Saudia Arabia? #JoshuaRuiz2 #JoshuaRuiz
— Teddy Atlas (@TeddyAtlasReal) December 7, 2019
Please don't insult us by saying you put the weight on because you thought you would be stronger. But I will give you credit for one truthful statement, yes you are a hungry fighter. #JoshuaRuiz2 #JoshuaRuiz
— Teddy Atlas (@TeddyAtlasReal) December 7, 2019
"I didn't prepare how I should have and I gained too much weight, but I dont want to make no excuses."
— caleb truax (@GoldenCalebT) December 7, 2019
Literally the 2 most despicable excuses in boxing you can make. #RuizJoshua2 #boxing
Too little too late for Ruiz. Great boxing, outstanding footwork and a disciplined game plan from AJ, he's the champ again.
— michael (@bisping) December 7, 2019
@anthonyfjoshua Attaboy 👏😊 keep on punching!
— Klitschko (@Klitschko) December 7, 2019
Congrats to Anthony Joshua for mentally bouncing back and fighting a controlled disciplined fight. The style of boxing "they" say no one wants to see, seems to always be the answer in the end. Hit and don't get hit !
— Andre S.O.G. Ward (@andreward) December 7, 2019
2Xxxxxxxxxx🗣🗣🗣🗣🗣🗣🗣 that's how you do it @anthonyfjoshua ! And the new!
— ClaressaT-rexShields (@Claressashields) December 7, 2019
Y'all mad at Joshua but Ruiz ain't throw no punches 🤔
— Shakur Stevenson (@ShakurStevenson) December 7, 2019
Now with all that being said I think Wilder and Fury is the best heavyweights in boxing
— Shakur Stevenson (@ShakurStevenson) December 7, 2019
Anthony Joshua looked great
— Lamont Roach Jr (@OneOf1x) December 7, 2019
Fantastic controlled performance from AJ, fair play to him proved a lot of people wrong tonight including myself. So much pressure on him to perform and he did, can't help but admire that 👏🏼 #RuizJoshua2
— Michael Conlan (@mickconlan11) December 7, 2019
Well done @anthonyfjoshua smashed it 🇬🇧 #RuizJoshua2 pic.twitter.com/BFhiaxRL95
— Nicola Adams (@NicolaAdamsOBE) December 7, 2019
THE U.K. KEEPS WINNING! Congrats @anthonyfjoshua
— KSI (@KSIOlajidebt) December 7, 2019
Hats off to big AJ, changed up his camp and changed what he had to, but still on that performance I don't see him surviving 12 with wilder or out boxing fury in my opinion
— Josh Taylor (@JoshTaylorBoxer) December 7, 2019
Joshua fought a smart fight. #AndNew
— Gabriel Rosado (@KingGabRosado) December 7, 2019
Boxing lesson. Great performance for Joshua 👏🏼
— Liam Smith (@LiamBeefySmith) December 7, 2019
