Anthony Joshua is totally unscathed after Ruiz win as he poses with belts inscribed ‘First Mexican heavyweight champion’
ANTHONY JOSHUA has a mark on his face after he put on a boxing masterclass to beat Andy Ruiz Jr in the rematch.
The Brit reclaimed his heavyweight world titles with a wide points victory against the 20st 3lbs Mexican.
He rarely looked in any trouble throughout the fight, as Ruiz failed to get close to landing that fearsome left hook that put paid to AJ back in June.
And the day after his superb performance out in Saudi Arabia, the 30-year-old Brit proudly showed off the belts - though Ruiz still had his mark on one of them.
The WBO added an inscription on their version, that reads: "First Mexican heavyweight champion" in tribute to Ruiz, who did just that when he KO'd AJ back in June.
But now the belts have changed hands, Joshua might seek to get his own tribute to overwrite that.
There was no surprise to see a big smile across the Watford boxer's face as he showed off his rewards.
BOXING MASTERCLASS
And you wouldn't have thought he had just gone 12 rounds against a man who is famed for his fast hands a powerful left.
It told the story of his supreme performance out in Saudi Arabia as he danced his way out of trouble and was clearly in better condition that his opponent.
He stuck behind an educated jab that bounced off Ruiz’s head and body with the Brit also landing a string of stinging right hands.
Ruiz threatened in close with heavy hooks but having learned from the mistakes that led to his downfall last June, Joshua tucked up and rode the storm.
After the 12-rounds AJ landed 107 punches, DOUBLE Ruiz’s 60 blows.
In round 11 Joshua had his most active session scoring 13 blows, dwarfing Ruiz’s five.
Check out all the top stories from an incredible night of boxing in Saudi Arabia...
- Keep up to date with all the live stories and reaction with our Joshua-Ruiz live blog
- Slim AJ outboxes and outpoints Ruiz to exact revenge in Saudi Arabia
- Joshua's classy message for Ruiz in the ring after his win
- Ruiz blames "three months of partying" for Joshua defeat
- Wilder launches X-rated at Ruiz for "not taking s*** seriously"
- Joshua landed nearly DOUBLE the amount of punches of Ruiz
- Joshua's next five potential opponents, including Usyk
Most Read In Boxing
The 20st Mexican-American had his best round in terms of stats in the eighth, landing 12 times, with AJ behind on six.
It proved to be the only session Ruiz out-punched the Brit.
After the emphatic win, dramatic celebrations between Joshua, his team and promoter Eddie Hearn followed.
