‘Ruiz shock put AJ on new level’
BARRY HEARN believes Anthony Joshua’s shock defeat by Andy Ruiz Jr in June 2019 was the best thing that ever happened to the British boxer.
And ahead of Joshua’s proposed dream fight with Tyson Fury later this year, Hearn believes a hungrier and wiser AJ will prove once and for all that he’s the best in the business.
Joshua and the Gypsy King agreed a two-fight deal in June last year – but the generationdefining battle to become the first undisputed British heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis has hit hurdles.
One key obstacle seemed to be cleared last week, with WBO mandatory challenger Oleksandr Usyk likely to now have to fight Joe Joyce before getting a shot at the heavyweight crowns. And Fury’s proposed rematch with Deontay Wilder has yet to materialise.
So Hearn (above), recently awarded an OBE for services to sport, is upbeat – and backing Joshua.
He said: “When you look back at AJ’s career that Ruiz defeat was the best thing that ever happened to him. It made him, quite rightly, realise that he’s still learning on the job and has got more improvement to come.
“He’s got a discipline and attitude now. He has that hunger to be the very best he can be.
“I think the best he can be is better than anyone else out there in the heavyweight division.”
AJ’s unexpected loss to Ruiz Jr at New York’s Madison Square Garden nearly two years ago remains his only loss in 25 professional fights.
Fury remains unbeaten in 31 professional contests, but Hearn warned:
“You only really find out about yourself when you lose, rather than when you win.
“You judge yourself by failure and not by success.
“Success can come naturally, but sustained success only comes when you make sacrifices that gives you that longevity. I’m looking forward to the Joshua-Fury fight enormously.
“And I like the fight for AJ, he’s a huge favourite to win it.
“But it’s what’s sport is all about. Talk is cheap at the end of the day.”