Andy Ruiz, who last month battered and stopped Alexander Dimitrenko, still feels strongly that he was robbed on the scorecards back in December of 2017, when he lost a twelve round decision to Joseph Parker - when they collided for the vacant WBO world title.
"I shocked Joseph Parker. I'm pretty sure he didn't think it would that hard. He thought it would be easy," Ruiz said.
"This chubby kid? He thought he would box me around. But when he moved, I moved. When he punched, I punched. I really thought I won that fight."
Ruiz gets a second chance at glory on Saturday night, June 1, when he challenges IBF, WBO, WBA, IBO world champion Anthony Joshua at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
Joshua, who is ** his United States debut, is planning to win by knockout and the oddsmakers have him tabbed as a massive favorite to win the contest.
"I've never been knocked out. I'm still young, 29, I've never been hurt and I've never been in a big war. This is the hardest fight of my career but I know I will pull off an upset," Ruiz told Sky Sports.
"I believe in my heart that we can win, and we are going to win. It will be one of the biggest upsets in the world. I can be the first one to stop him. In America, you have to have a dream, and have the heart to pursue it. I am a family man and a nice guy but, inside the ring, I am an animal. AJ, get ready, get prepared. Don't underestimate or overlook me. I know I'm chubby and short but I'm as fast as lightning!"
Ruiz took the fight on late notice, after original opponent Jarrell Miller tested positive for performance enhancing drugs and was pulled from the fight.
2023-10-23 08:41:05
