Joshua relishing second jab against Ruiz

NEVER MIND the fame, fortune and nigh-on universal adulation even in defeat, British boxing’s golden child Anthony Joshua believes he has just entered the final third of a 15-year “prison sentence” which began back in 2008.

The so-called “Clash on the Dunes” is the highly anticipated rematch of Joshua’s shuddering defeat at the hands of Ruiz, when he was floored no fewer than four times before being waved off in the seventh round as he steadied himself against the ropes of his own corner.

Many have suggested that a defeat in Diriyah could bring the gravel down on Joshua’s entire career but the challenger is adamant that his initial plan still has years to run.

It was formulated in Reading, as he counted down the hours of his two-week spell on remand in prison for a reported charge of affray.

He was staring at a 10-year stretch behind bars right at the time but he pledged his life would change forever if he got off. He did.

“(Before) I went into boxing I was getting into a lot of trouble,” he recalls. “A major court case, I beat the court case, and I prayed ‘God, if you give me a second chance at life I will make all the changes in the world’.

“When I beat that court case, I got into boxing and I focused. Same thing with Ruiz, give me a second chance and see what I can do.

“When I had that second chance at life when I was getting in trouble, I just dedicated myself. I said I would put myself on a 15-year prison sentence to boxing and have that focus.” – The Independent