Some losses are harder to take than others, and for former heavyweight champion Andy Ruiz Jr., his defeat to Anthony Joshua remains a significant and haunting chapter in his career. The memory of that loss drives him to seek a rematch and redemption.
In June 2019, Anthony Joshua experienced a shocking upset loss to Andy Ruiz Jr. at Madison Square Garden. Ruiz, who was relatively unknown at the time, knocked Joshua down several times, securing a remarkable victory. However, in the rematch later that year in Saudi Arabia, Joshua returned with a different strategy. He boxed at range, avoided taking unnecessary risks, and won decisively on the scorecards, reclaiming his titles.
Since their second encounter, Joshua has faced further challenges in the ring, including two technical defeats to Oleksandr Usyk. Despite these setbacks, he has managed to rebuild his career, securing four consecutive wins that have positioned him for an upcoming fight with Daniel Dubois for the IBF world championship in August 2024.
Ruiz, on the other hand, has had a quieter path. He has fought only a couple of times, securing unanimous decision victories against Chris Arreola and Luis Ortiz. Despite these wins, the loss to Joshua in their rematch continues to haunt him.
In a recent interview with TheRingDigital, Ruiz opened up about the lingering impact of his loss to Joshua. “You know what keeps me motivated? When Anthony Joshua beat me in Saudi Arabia, I wasn’t prepared, I wasn’t training right,” Ruiz admitted. “It kind of haunts me a bit, so now I got to be prepared for every single fighter.”
Ruiz emphasized that the desire for a trilogy fight with Joshua is what drives him. “It still haunts me; that’s why I want that trilogy with him. So for me to even talk about that, I got to get back in the groove.”
Ruiz’s next challenge is a fight against the 300-plus pound Brooklyn fighter Jarrell Miller in August. This bout represents a crucial step in his journey back to the top of the heavyweight division. For Ruiz, each fight is a step closer to a potential third clash with Joshua, where he hopes to settle the score once and for all.
The journey of a boxer is often defined by their ability to overcome setbacks and pursue redemption. For Andy Ruiz Jr., the loss to Anthony Joshua remains a driving force in his career. As he prepares for his upcoming fight with Jarrell Miller, Ruiz’s focus is on being better prepared and more disciplined. The desire for a trilogy fight with Joshua underscores his commitment to confronting the ghosts of his past and proving himself once more in the ring. The boxing world watches with anticipation, eager to see if Ruiz can secure the rematch he so fervently desires.
