Anthony Joshua throws jig at Ruiz after reclaiming heavyweight titles
Anthony Joshua has jokingly said he would have loved to have copied Andy Ruiz Jr’s preparations for their latest fight by prioritizing partying over training.
Joshua focused all his efforts on regaining his previously held WBA, IBF and WBO belts in the build-up to his rematch with Ruiz in Saudi Arabia after he lost his unbeaten status in June.
While Joshua was giving his all in the gym to defeat his rival, Ruiz has revealed he was partying after his victory in New York made him an overnight celebrity.
The difference in preparation showed on Saturday as Joshua displayed a boxing masterclass to defeat the Mexican-American.
Joshua, speaking to Piers Morgan during a live interview on ITV’s Good Morning Britain on Monday, said of his most recent opponent: ‘I would love to have trained the way Andy trained but in reality that’s not the way of a champion.
‘Andy can say all of these things but he knew he had a fight and he knew the best way to prepare.
‘Learning life lessons come in different forms, his was in the form of a loss.
‘He knew his mistakes.’
Ruiz admitted that his excessive partying following his victory over Joshua in June cost him in the rematch.
‘I don’t want to say three months of partying didn’t affect me because it kind of did.
‘I just want to learn from this mistake. I am glad I learnt it when I am young.’
Following his victory over Joshua in June, Ruiz bought a mansion in California and amassed a car collection worth £785,000, as reported by The Sun.
'I would have loved to train the way Andy did… but that's not the way of a champion'
Anthony Joshua jokes about Ruiz's party lifestyle after reclaiming his heavyweight titlehttps://t.co/ZPlSck1kLT
— MailOnline Sport (@MailSport) December 9, 2019
Meanwhile, Joshua went on to once again defend the decision to fight in Saudi Arabia rather back home in the UK or in America again.
Critics hit out at the location of the fight due to human rights issues and the treatment of women in Saudi Arabia but Joshua said: ‘I was just focused on my fight. Neutral grounds was fine for me. From what I’ve seen, it’s a nice place.
‘In terms of the regime I hadn’t diverted my attention. When I came off the plane I just saw a beautiful structure, roads, buildings and cars, I didn’t see all the things I have heard about Saudi.
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‘I was expecting to come off the plane and see a war zone. There are women driving, men driving, architecture and roads.
‘All my travelling supporters got to experience that too. I’m glad we create history in Saudi Arabia.’