On June 1, Andy Ruiz Jr knocked down Anthony Joshua three times at Madison Square Garden to snatch his three heavyweight world champion belts. The American, who had given 121 kilos on the scale, became one of the biggest surprises in the history of boxing overnight. Almost six months later, Ruiz finalizes his preparation for the rematch of December 7 in Saudi Arabia. At the moment he has lost his weight to 115 kilos, although not even his coach knows if this change can be beneficial

"We will confirm that it was no coincidence or luck," said Manny Robles, Ruiz coach, in statements to the ESPN network, before taking the flight from Los Angeles to Diriyah on Sunday, the city that will host the fight. In recent weeks, Ruiz's work sessions have not looked anything like the ones he faced in spring, when they thought they were actually going to measure themselves against Jarrell Miller in New York.

"I feel that everything has been better. We had more time, the 'sparrings' were better and demanded a lot," added Robles about the first boxer of Mexican origin that unifies the World Organization (WBO) belts in the heavyweights. International (IBF), World Association (WBA) and International Organization (IBO).

"I will not lose strength"

In Diriyah, at approximately 04:00 hours on Saturday, December 7, both Ruiz and Joshua will jump into the ring with a more stylized figure. In any case, the Briton, a mountain of muscles 198 centimeters high, will be much closer to the canon than Ruiz, 10 cm lower.

"Being 10 pounds lighter (4.5 kilos) I will be a better fighter," Ruiz warned a few weeks ago. "I will be faster and able to get better hands. I will also be faster with my feet. These 10 pounds will not make me lose strength," said Destroyer , who adds 33 wins in his previous 34 fights. In reality, your ultimate goal will reach 13 pounds (six kilos).

Extraordinary speed

Joshua's priorities, on the other hand, point in a different direction. "I'm not going to lose weight to the point that it looks like a cruiserweight," said the Watford fighter, who weighed 112 kilos in June. "I will lose weight only to the extent that it benefits my endurance for 12 rounds," he concluded.

Joshua's 20-centimeter advantage in the wingspan (208 cm by 188) is leveled with the extraordinary speed of his opponent's blows. In June, Ruiz was able to recover in the third round of a terrible left hook for a minute after sending the British twice to the canvas before the bell rang. Now it remains to be seen if the Californian can keep up the work with the body and the furious combinations with six kilos less.

See this post on Instagram

According to the criteria of The Trust Project

Know more

  • sports

More Sport The 2020 Games marathon will run in Sapporo despite Tokyo opposition

EuroligaCharla with Scola and Sergio Rodríguez: "Barça is a great team, but I think Madrid has one more point"

Premier League 2019 - 2020Xhaka denounces death threats towards him and his family: "We will kill your wife"