By Geno McGahee
Tomorrow, the IBF, WBA and WBO heavyweight champion, Andy Ruiz, JR., 33-1, 22 KO’s, will defend the titles against the former champion, Anthony Joshua, 22-1, 21 KO’s, in Saudi Arabia. Going into this defense, there was a lot of talk about the weight of both men. Joshua was considered too muscular and heavy in the last fight and he has remedied that by slimming down and listening to some advice from former long-time champion, Wladimir Klitschko. The 237 pound former champion has seemed to do everything right.
Ruiz, JR., was rumored to be much lighter than his title-winning effort in June where he weighed in at 268 pounds. Photos were released where he looked fitter and most were expecting a 240 pound champion coming in, but we got a 283 pound fighter, which is drawing comparisons to James “Buster” Douglas, the one and done heavyweight champion.
When Douglas beat Mike Tyson in a huge upset, he came in at 231 pounds. In his first defense, he showed up at 246 pounds against Evander Holyfield and was knocked out easily by the Real Deal. The 231 pound destroyer was gone and the lack of preparation cost him the heavyweight crown. Will Ruiz, JR., have the same fate? There are some similarities, but it’s not exactly the same.
Ruiz, JR., has not been this heavy in a long time, usually coming into the fights at about 250 to 260 pounds. At the weigh-in, he didn’t look terrible, but he didn’t take his shirt off either. He weighed in wearing full gear, which probably makes him about 275, not too far away from where he was in the first fight. He should be the same fighter we saw in June, perhaps a little slower if the weight does make a difference.
The emphasis is on AJ in this fight. What does he do to keep Ruiz, JR., away? How does he avoid the exchanges? Can he do enough damage to stop the champion late? So, even though the weight of 283 was shocking, it is probably misleading. Ruiz, JR., will be pushing the fight, looking for exchanges and looking to remind AJ of what happened last time. Even though AJ looks great and has done the right things, this is still a fight that he will have a hard time winning. Ruiz, JR., is a beast with quick hands and power that will force exchanges. It’s almost a situation where AJ has to get Ruiz, JR., before he gets him in order to win this one.
Tomorrow in Saudi Arabia, the heavyweight title is up for grabs in one of the most compelling fights in recent history. Anything can happen and don’t blink when that opening bell sounds.
