Analysis
TALE OF THE TAPE
Tom Schwarz vs Andy Ruiz Jr: Why Tyson Fury’s underdog opponent is far less likely to cause a shock than Anthony Joshua’s conqueror
TYSON FURY meets little-known Tom Schwarz on Saturday - and after Andy Ruiz Jr shocked the world against Anthony Joshua - the question is, can lightning strike twice?
The Gypsy King travels to Las Vegas to box 24-0 WBO ranked No2 challenger Schwarz - a week after 25-1 outsider Ruiz dethroned Joshua of the unified titles.
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No one gave the Snickers loving 19st underdog a prayer before he stunned Brit superstar AJ on the way to a seventh round stoppage.
It could offer fresh hope that Schwarz - who like Ruiz has already been written off - could upset another Brit heavyweight Stateside.
However, SunSport details why Ruiz is a tougher opponent than Schwarz, meaning Fury should return to the UK unscathed.
EXPERIENCE
Ruiz came into his world title shot with 32 wins in 33 fights - 11 more bouts than AJ - with the Mexcican-American only losing once, a contentious decision loss to Joseph Parker for the WBO title.
Schwarz has had four less fights than Fury after competing 24 times and despite winning all of them he has never been in world title action.
Ruiz had been under the bright lights before and fought notable names such as Parker, Kevin Johnson and Alexander Dimitrenko.
Fury’s opponent on the other hand is yet to be tested, despite being ranked second in the WBO rankings.
He found himself in a competitive fight with Senad Gashi last year - the man who hardly threw a punch against Dereck Chisora in April.
Gashi was disqualified in round six for headbutting but he had Schwarz in trouble several times before then - but the German's lacklustre display against Chisora proves he is no world-beater.
Only now has it been highlighted how vastly experienced Ruiz was in the unpaid ranks - leaving the amateurs with a record of 105–5 and competing in the 2008 Olympics.
The new unified champion’s 143 bout experience came into play against Joshua as he outpunched the Brit in mid range and systematically broke him down with body shots and combinations.
Schwarz in comparison won bronze and silver medals at youth level but turned pro early in 2013 age 19 meaning he cut short a senior amateur boxing career.
Fury left the unpaid ranks with a record of 31-4 having represented both England and Ireland while also winning silver at the European championships and bronze at the Worlds.
Despite Joshua winning silver at the worlds and gold at the London 2012 games he had an amateur record of 40-3 - 67 fewer than Ruiz.
Schwarz will not be able to take in the vastly greater ring experience against Fury which ultimately acted as a great advantage for Ruiz’s stunning upset win.
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TRAITS
Much was said about Ruiz’s podgy frame pre-fight, as he was ridiculed as a “fat slob” and likened to the chubby character from Disney film Up by Fury himself.
But no one could discredit Ruiz’s amazing hand speed that would prevail at Madison Square Garden and leave AJ on his hands and knees four times.
Schwarz does not possess anywhere near the speed that Mexico’s newest star owns - with the German instead more robotic in his boxing.
However, despite being a flat footed come forward boxer, Schwarz can definitely punch - especially with the overhand right - the same shot Steve Cunningham floored Fury with in 2013.
Schwarz, like Ruiz, is relentless on the front foot and does not shy away from letting his hands go.
Fury, though, renowned for his incredible footwork, should be too elusive for the underdog to let his slashing hooks rip and could end up completely outboxing Schwarz as he marches towards the Englishman.
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Ruiz was dropped for the first time against Joshua, before he picked himself up to steal the show - but Schwarz has already tasted the canvas entering his US fight.
In 2015 Ilja Mezencev decked his countrymen in the first round, but Schwarz battled through to eventually win by seventh round stoppage.
Fury will take confidence from seeing his man floored before - though the 6ft 5in outsider has shown like Ruiz, he can rise from the canvas to win within seven rounds.
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