Dogli Wilberforce
Andy Ruiz Jr. has renewed calls for a third fight with Anthony Joshua, saying their rivalry is still unfinished more than six years after their first meeting. The former unified heavyweight champion spoke in a recent interview while reflecting on their two fights in 2019. Ruiz, now 35-2-1 with 22 knockouts, said both men changed after those bouts and believes a trilogy would settle the score.
Their first clash ended in a major upset, while the rematch saw Joshua regain his titles. Ruiz said he accepts his role in the second result but insists a third fight would show a different outcome if both fighters meet again at their best.
Andy Ruiz calls for a trilogy with Anthony Joshua
Ruiz made his position clear on casino.org discussing the rivalry with Anthony Joshua. “I think there has to be a trilogy with ‘AJ’. “His life changed when we fought, and my life changed when we fought. I beat him; he only beat me [in the rematch] because I let him. I let him hit me in the second fight because I was an idiot; I should have taken that fight more seriously.”
He added that he is not trying to pressure Joshua into the fight. “I’m not gonna go out there and force him or push it. But I think it would be a good fight for both of us to come back. But I’ll definitely beat him, 100 percent.” Ruiz said he wants the fight to happen at the right time.
Revisiting the 2019 fights
The rivalry began in June 2019 at Madison Square Garden. Ruiz entered as a late replacement and dropped Joshua multiple times before stopping him in the seventh round. The result handed Ruiz the heavyweight titles and marked one of the biggest upsets in boxing.
They met again in December 2019 in Saudi Arabia. Joshua used a different approach, controlling the fight over 12 rounds to win by decision and reclaim his belts. Ruiz later admitted he was not in the right condition for that fight. “I weighed almost 300 pounds, so I wasn’t in shape, and I still lasted 12 rounds. So, I feel people did not see the best in me when they saw the fight.”
Ruiz said he wants another chance to correct that performance. “I want to redeem myself. I gave our rematch away.”
Ruiz reflects on discipline and Joshua’s form
Ruiz said discipline remains key to his career moving forward. “Right now, I think patience is key, and I just have to stay motivated and stay disciplined. If you’re not disciplined, it’s gonna mess up. And that’s exactly what I wasn’t with AJ.”
Since the rematch, Ruiz has won against Chris Arreola and Luis Ortiz and fought to a draw with Jarrell Miller. Meanwhile, Anthony Joshua has faced setbacks, including losses to Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel Dubois. Ruiz said fighters should not overlook Joshua.
“I think a lot of fighters look at [Joshua’s] past and the stuff he’s been through and the losses, but every fighter can redeem themselves. Anybody can come back stronger.” He also spoke about Joshua’s style. “Sometimes, when he’s fighting, I feel like he’s too cautious… I think his instinct is what sometimes lets him down.”
Ruiz said he will remain patient while waiting for a possible third fight. “I hope it’s good, so we can do the trilogy.”
