Boxing Twitter Reacts to Ruiz-Joshua 2
Anthony Joshua became a two-time heavyweight world boxing champion on December 7, defeating Andy Ruiz Jr. by a wide unanimous decision to reclaim the WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO heavyweight titles.
With the win, Joshua avenged an upset loss he suffered to Ruiz — the first loss of his professional career — at New York’s Madison Square Garden on June 1.
TWO TIME pic.twitter.com/CutWIGDfD8
— Anthony Joshua (@anthonyfjoshua) December 7, 2019
Back On Top 👑#RuizJoshua2 pic.twitter.com/Jxq0tRrZ9V
— DAZN USA (@DAZN_USA) December 7, 2019
Can I get a 2 time!? Couldn’t be more proud! @skysportsboxing @dazn_usa @diriyahseason pic.twitter.com/d5aC08KrE3
— Eddie Hearn (@EddieHearn) December 7, 2019
A few fellow boxers took to social media to join Joshua and his promoter, Matchroom Boxing’s Eddie Hearn, in the celebration — including undisputed female middleweight champion Claressa Shields, WBO female junior welterweight champion Katie Taylor and former two-time super featherweight champion and upcoming lightweight title combatant Gervonta Davis.
2Xxxxxxxxxx🗣🗣🗣🗣🗣🗣🗣 that’s how you do it @anthonyfjoshua ! And the new!
— ClaressaT-rexShields (@Claressashields) December 7, 2019
'What defines a champion is not winning, but rising after defeat.' What a clever and disciplined performance, congratulations Champ @anthonyfjoshua! https://t.co/X743gW7mnt
— Katie Taylor (@KatieTaylor) December 7, 2019
Good work for Joshua.
— Gervonta Davis (@Gervontaa) December 7, 2019
Some instead went on to give their own analysis on the fight, which saw Joshua maintain a strategy of sticking-and-moving, making Ruiz miss by using fast footwork and picking spots instead of brawling.
The fight also saw Ruiz come in 15 pounds heavier than anticipated/
Congrats to Anthony Joshua for mentally bouncing back and fighting a controlled disciplined fight. The style of boxing “they” say no one wants to see, seems to always be the answer in the end. Hit and don’t get hit !
— Andre S.O.G. Ward (@andreward) December 7, 2019
Andy Ruiz blew a big opportunity in the Middle East. He said he would die in the ring to keep his belts. It didn’t take all of that, it just took the discipline and courage to push the plate back and deny himself, to put himself in the best position to win. He couldn’t do it.
— Andre S.O.G. Ward (@andreward) December 7, 2019
Please Mr. Ruiz don’t pretend with 30 secs left that you want to fight, you had 12 rds to go get inside and fight. What time is Shake Shack open to in Saudia Arabia? #JoshuaRuiz2 #JoshuaRuiz
— Teddy Atlas (@TeddyAtlasReal) December 7, 2019
Please don’t insult us by saying you put the weight on because you thought you would be stronger. But I will give you credit for one truthful statement, yes you are a hungry fighter. #JoshuaRuiz2 #JoshuaRuiz
— Teddy Atlas (@TeddyAtlasReal) December 7, 2019
Joshua did what he needed to do to get the W
Ruiz did what he needed to do to give away the heavyweight championship of the world 🌎
Borning fight for a $100M but that’s boxing #RuizJoshua2— Phil Lo Greco (@Phil_Lo_Greco) December 7, 2019
It was built up as the fight of the century. If @anthonyfjoshua wanted his title back he should have won it in the same fashion he lost it just as @LennoxLewis and many others did. The whole card sucked except Povetkin vs Hunter
— Sergey Lipinets (@unionsamurai) December 7, 2019
As of press time, there have been no comments from either WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder or lineal champion and upcoming WBC title challenger Tyson Fury.
However, Kubrat Pulev left a message was left for Joshua and Hearn — he will be waiting. Pulev holds IBF mandatory challenger status and anticipates he will be the first one to challenge Joshua.
I want to congratulate AJ and Eddie on regaining the title and look forward to facing AJ in his next bout, as the IBF has ordered. The result is going to be different this time, I guarantee it! pic.twitter.com/8d9LifQGLw
— Kubrat Pulev (@KubratPulev) December 7, 2019
Pulev may have some competition, however, as the WBO ordered not even 90 minutes after Joshua’s win that he must defend against their mandatory, Oleksandr Usyk.