By Geno McGahee
Anthony Joshua, 23-1, 21 KO’s, regained the WBA, IBO and WBO heavyweight titles with a wide unanimous decision by scores of 119-109 and 118-110 (twice) over Andy Ruiz, JR., 33-2, 22 KO’s. The defending champion came in at 283 pounds and he looked incredibly heavy when he was in the ring. Joshua stayed on the outside and used his jab to control Ruiz JR.
In the opening round, Joshua landed a right hand that opened up a cut on the left eye of the champion. Every round looked like the last as Joshua used movement and his reach to pile up the points. Ruiz, JR., was visibly slower than he was in their first fight and did not cut off the ring at any time. When the final bell rang, it was clear who had won the fight.
After the fight, Joshua was elated while Ruiz, JR., began campaigning for a third fight, promising that he would come into the bout in the best shape of his life…I somehow doubt that. Joshua can now go on and regain his ground as one of the top heavyweights in boxing today and perhaps a Deontay Wilder showdown is back on the table.
