'BLESSING'
Anthony Joshua claims Andy Ruiz Jr loss was GOOD as now he has boxers queuing up to spar him
ANTHONY JOSHUA has claimed that his loss to Andy Ruiz Jr was a GOOD thing - as now boxers actually want to spar him.
The 30-year-old was sensationally knocked out by Ruiz Jr earlier this year in one of the biggest upsets in boxing history to lose his WBA heavyweight titles
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But ahead of their hotly-anticipated rematch, a philosophical Joshua has put a positive spin on it.
Through a smirk, speaking as part of Matchroom Boxing's JD Access All Areas series, he said: "It's good that I lost because all the sparring partners have come out now.
"No one wanted to spar me before.
"I remember when Klitschko said after he lost, he said he had everybody coming to spar him because everyone wants to prove that they're the best.
"So I said, blessing I've got [Carlos] Takam coming he wants to come down.
"They're all coming to the gym now and they're all seeing what this is about.
"I don't want to talk too much but we're lacing the gloves up, and when we spar there is no holding back."
Joshua fought Takam back in 2017 at the Principality Stadium, successfully retaining his belts as he defeated the Frenchman by TKO.
And the Brit has had a series of high profile sparring partners as he steps up his preparation for his rematch with Ruiz Jr.
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These include old friend and no-nonsense fighter Derek Chisora.
As well as Andrew Tabiti, Timothy Moten, Tom Little and Albon Pervizaj.
The rematch takes place on Saturday December 7 in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia.
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