What we will count on within the rematch
Dan Rafael
ShutESPN Senior Author2013 BWAA Nat Fleischer Award winner for excellence in boxing journalism
ESPN.com boxing author since 2005
5 years at USA Right now
Steve Kim
Andy Ruiz Jr., the primary Mexican-American heavyweight world titleholder, will face Anthony Joshua for the second time on Dec. 7 in Saudi Arabia.
Ruiz shocked the boxing world on June 1 by filling in as a late substitute for Jarrel “Large Child” Miller and stopping Joshua, who was closely favored, in Spherical 7 at Madison Sq. Backyard in New York. Ruiz despatched Joshua to the canvas 4 instances within the bout.
Joshua utilized the rematch clause within the struggle contract and his promoter Matchroom Sports activities struck a profitable deal to position the struggle in Saudi Arabia. Ruiz, who initially had balked on the concept of the rematch being stage within the UK, wasn’t thrilled with that venue both.
However together with his pot sweetened, Ruiz agreed to phrases on Wednesday and the “Conflict on the Dunes” will happen within the Center Japanese.
Dan Rafael and Steve Kim share their ideas.
Will the rematch be totally different than the primary struggle?
Rafael: I feel it is going to in all probability be very totally different. Regardless of a lot dialogue about how Joshua did not look proper or wasn’t at his finest, blah, blah, blah, he positive regarded fairly good when he dropped Ruiz flat on his again within the third spherical. Then he received nailed later within the spherical and suffered a concussion. That Joshua made it so far as he did into the seventh spherical and was nonetheless within the struggle was spectacular. He might be prepared for the rematch and he is aware of what’s at stake. Joshua additionally is aware of what Ruiz is able to, so I count on Joshua to be in prime form bodily and mentally for his most essential struggle. Suppose Lennox Lewis-Hasim Rahman II (Rahman uspet Lewis in a fifth spherical KO of their first struggle in 2001, after which Lewis received his revenge seven month later with a fourth-round KO within the rematch.)
Kim: It can, the ingredient of shock is now not in place. Once they fought again in June, Ruiz was considered nothing greater than a portly late substitute. However as Joshua came upon, this was a e-book that by no means ought to have been judged by its cowl. Anticipate to see a extra disciplined and targeted AJ this time round. Ruiz has been taking an prolonged victory lap and also you simply marvel — is that this Buster Douglas 2.zero? (Douglas stunned Mike Tyson to change into the heavyweight champion in 2009 with a 10th-round KO victory however misplaced a third-round KO in opposition to Evander Holyfield eight months later and by no means regained the belt.)
What does Joshua must do to win?
1:43
Deontay Wilder recommends that Anthony Joshua not rush again right into a struggle in opposition to Andy Ruiz Jr. and provides that it isn’t over for Joshua.
Rafael: He must do what he did for the primary two-plus rounds of the June 1 struggle. Use his dimension and his jab, and impose himself on Ruiz. However he additionally needs to be accountable on protection and perceive that Ruiz has very quick fingers. He cannot be afraid to tie up if wanted. Joshua has the bodily edges in dimension, energy and expertise in opposition to higher opponents. He must also throw just a few physique photographs at Ruiz’s ample midsection to gradual him down slightly. It can pay dividends the later the struggle goes.
2 Associated
Kim: It is quite simple — deal with profitable one spherical at a time behind the lengthy jab. It will not be a preferred technique, however from this level ahead, Joshua (who has scored 21 stoppages in his 22 victories) might be roughly like Wladimir Klitschko after he suffered just a few KO losses early in his profession. Whereas underneath the steering of the late Emanuel Steward, Klitschko grew to become a way more cerebral and cautious boxer, and whereas he definitely nonetheless scored his share of knockouts, oftentimes the method was comparatively boring, but extremely efficient. The truth is since his memorable battle with Klitschko in 2017, Joshua had already begun to take a way more cautious method within the ring.
Can Ruiz win with the identical technique as the primary struggle?
Will Andy Ruiz Jr. stopped Anthony Joshua to win the WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO heavyweight world titles again in June. Nick Potts/Getty Pictures
Rafael: Typically it is best in the event you do not repair what’s not damaged. It labored within the June struggle, so why could not it work once more? That mentioned, Joshua might have taken him a bit calmly the primary time since he was a late substitute given virtually no shot to win. Bear in mind, it was the Joshua social gathering that night time as he made his much-hyped American debut. However Ruiz weathered the third-round knockdown and landed his fast punches. Positive, he can do it once more. He would possibly wish to tweak just a few issues, however there isn’t any want for any main overhaul.
Kim: Nicely, if he can do it as soon as, why not twice? Whereas Joshua might want to make some changes (each bodily and psychological), Ruiz will at all times have the benefit in hand pace and fluidity. And whenever you’ve already overwhelmed a man decisively as soon as, there’s actually no motive why it will possibly’t occur once more. Particularly given the truth that it wasn’t only one punch or a single spherical that basically led to the downfall of Joshua. If Joshua does determine to field extra from the skin and utilized the perimeter of the ring, will Ruiz get himself in ok bodily situation to have the ability to transfer across the ring for 12 rounds to shut the hole on him?
Does the impartial web site favor Ruiz, Joshua, each or none?
Rafael: I do not suppose it favors both man. The occasion is managed by Joshua’s workforce, however he and Ruiz will each be preventing in a brand new place that is a lot totally different than what they’re used to — outdoors within the desert, hundreds of miles from residence. However ultimately, they will be in a regulation boxing ring the place it is simply man in opposition to man, it doesn’t matter what the venue is.
Kim: Given the truth that Matchroom Sports activities selected this venue (that Joshua has visited earlier than) and the reluctance that Ruiz confirmed in agreeing to struggle in Saudi Arabia, typical knowledge says that it is Joshua who has the house canvas benefit right here. However simply keep in mind: whereas Joshua could also be extra snug on this setting, as soon as the bell rings, it is simply two guys inside that ring.
Do you suppose this occasion might be remembered just like the “Thrilla in Manila” or the “Rumble within the Jungle”?
Rafael: Completely depends upon the struggle. If it is one other epic battle, then possibly it has an opportunity to go down in all-time boxing lore. However, and no offense to Joshua or Ruiz, they aren’t Muhammad Ali or Joe Frazier. Extra doubtless, no matter occurs, the placement will simply be a footnote in historical past like Manny Pacquiao preventing in Macau or Malaysia or Lewis-Rahman I happening on the outskirts of Johannesburg, South Africa.
Kim: A lot will rely on the standard of the struggle. Ali-Frazier III and Ali-Foreman are memorable due to the caliber of boxers and the precise fights, the locales of those promotions (that came about in Manila, Philippines, and Kinshasa, Zaire, now referred to as the Democratic Republic of the Congo) are a part of the lore of those occasions and an unique footnote. There might be — and already has been — quite a lot of controversy over the vacation spot of Ruiz-Joshua II, however for it to be really historic like these above-mentioned bouts, you are going to want a memorable conflict.