Andy Ruiz Jr claims Anthony Joshua doesn’t want to fight him but is being forced to by his team
ANDY RUIZ JR has claimed Anthony Joshua doesn’t want to fight him but is instead being forced into their 'Clash on the Dunes' by his team.
The Snickers-loving Mexican was a 25/1 underdog to beat AJ when they clashed back on June 1 – but he went on to provide one of boxing’s biggest ever shocks.
After flooring Joshua four times during their New York scrap, the fight was waved off in the seventh as Ruiz became the new unified IBF, WBA and WBO heavyweight champ.
After suffering the first loss of his professional career, AJ immediately invoked his rematch clause to set up a clash in Saudi Arabia in December.
Yet Ruiz, 30, has suggested the deposed champ would have preferred a tune-up fight first to regain his confidence after the shock defeat.
He told : "They’re forcing him to go straight into the rematch.
“I think he wanted to do something a little different than face me. But it is what it is, we’re fighting in Saudi Arabia and I’m excited. Best man wins.”
Olympic Gold medalist Joshua, 29, has already promised fans to be smaller and smarter to ensure he regains his world heavyweight crown.
But Ruiz explained that the Brit's style is perfect for him and he predicts the fight in Diriyah to play out in the same way as their bout in New York.
He added: “Styles make fights. I’ve been calling AJ out since we got the fight, I knew his style was perfect for me and December 7 I plan to do the same thing.
“He was a champion from his 16th fight but I told him inside the ring, there’s no friends, no respect, we’re trying to rip each other’s faces off.
"His eyes are focussed but deep inside we won’t really know. We all have doubts, everyone does, but it’s our choice to overcome them.”