Ruiz adds weight to credentials
World heavyweight champion Andy Ruiz Jr has weighed in seven kilograms heavier than six months ago ahead of his rematch with former champion Anthony Joshua in Saudi Arabia today.
Ruiz upset Britain’s Joshua with a seventh round stoppage at New York’s Madison Square Garden last June to win the WBO, WBA, IBF and IBO world titles.
He weighed in at 121kg for that fight but this time, the Mexican tipped the scales yesterday at 128kg for the return fight.
Joshua, who will earn A$127 million from the lucrative bout, weighed in at 107.5kg, which is 5kg lighter than the first fight.
The fight will be staged in a purposebuilt 15,000 capacity stadium and it is the first heavyweight fight to be staged in Saudi Arabia.
It has created much criticism from group Amnesty International, which accuses the country of ‘‘sport-washing’’ to hide its poor record for human rights.
Joshua said he ‘‘would definitely be bothered’’ if the fight was used in that way, while Ruiz Jr described the venue as the ‘‘perfect place to make history’’.
Amnesty International warned that Saudi Arabia was using sports to hide a crackdown on basic rights such as repressing free speech.
Regardless, Joshua has said that they are fighting in a relaxed atmosphere and that they have a responsibility to showcase boxing in other countries.
‘‘I just came here for the boxing opportunity,’’ the 30-year-old told the BBC.
‘‘I look around and everyone seems pretty happy and chilled. I’ve not seen anyone in a negative light out here, everyone seems to be having a good time.
‘‘As an individual I try to bring positivity and light everywhere I go. I’m just seeing it from my eyes alone but for sure the country in itself is trying to do a good job politically.’’
Joshua, who aims to recapture the four belts he lost in America in a seismic surprise loss, says a turnaround win in the Middle Eastern state would be his best achievement to date.
‘‘How much do I want it? A whole heap,’’ he said.
‘‘I feel like I belong here so it’s not like it’s something I am chasing. It’s just a quest for greatness in myself. When I win, I am not going to be too surprised as I believe this is my destiny and I belong in this position.’’
He added: ‘‘I’m punching loose and heavy – rhythm and flow.
‘‘Before I was trying to bench-press a house. I used my body to get where I needed but then I started realising the sweet science of the sport.
‘‘I am punching like a horse kicking backwards right now.’’
Ruiz Jr said: ‘‘I know he [Joshua] lost weight and that he will try and box me around, so it’s my job to prevent that.
‘‘There is no way I am going to let these belts go, I will die trying.’’
– DPA