Anthony Joshua has suggested he may have taken the threat of Andy Ruiz Jr. lightly the first time around but is fully motivated to reclaim his belts – particularly if the Mexican continues with his ‘smack talk’.
The Brit was knocked down four times at Madison Square Garden by his unfancied opponent before the fight was stopped in the seventh round, and they will rematch in Saudi Arabia on 7 December.
Ruiz was a late replacement for Jarrell Miller and Joshua has conceded that the lack of animosity between himself and the Mexican may have contributed to his defeat, but he’s ready to get revenge.
Asked if Ruiz’s recent comments have brought back the beast inside of Joshua that was missing previously, he told William Hill: ‘I’m not going to say that’s the reason, because when I’m in the ring we’re in the lion’s den.
'I’m never looking for excuses but it’s interesting that you say that because I didn’t meet Ruiz until the press conference, or the week of the fight, because Miller pulled out and he was the best replacement.
'So there wasn’t that real fire, but honestly the smack talk is only digging his own grave because it’s a different kind of ting now, do you know what I mean?
‘Yeah, I took my L and I handled it like a man, but I’m going to show people the art of bouncing back.
‘That’s what this fight is to me. And I’m just speaking about me to the public. Whether they believe it or not, you can run with it and take it how you please, but for me what it means is the art of bouncing back.’
Rumours swirled regarding the reason for Joshua’s poor performance, from suggestions he was knocked out in sparring to a pre-fight panic attack, while his dazed look in the ring seemed out of character – something he notes himself.
As the interviewer bounced on the spot, Joshua chimed in: ‘You didn’t even see that in the ring! In the ring before you saw me like this [leans back on the ropes]. You’re going to see [starts bouncing]. I’m gonna bounce back, you see what I’m saying?’
The Brit was knocked down four times at Madison Square Garden by his unfancied opponent before the fight was stopped in the seventh round, and they will rematch in Saudi Arabia on 7 December.
Ruiz was a late replacement for Jarrell Miller and Joshua has conceded that the lack of animosity between himself and the Mexican may have contributed to his defeat, but he’s ready to get revenge.
Asked if Ruiz’s recent comments have brought back the beast inside of Joshua that was missing previously, he told William Hill: ‘I’m not going to say that’s the reason, because when I’m in the ring we’re in the lion’s den.
'I’m never looking for excuses but it’s interesting that you say that because I didn’t meet Ruiz until the press conference, or the week of the fight, because Miller pulled out and he was the best replacement.
'So there wasn’t that real fire, but honestly the smack talk is only digging his own grave because it’s a different kind of ting now, do you know what I mean?
‘Yeah, I took my L and I handled it like a man, but I’m going to show people the art of bouncing back.
‘That’s what this fight is to me. And I’m just speaking about me to the public. Whether they believe it or not, you can run with it and take it how you please, but for me what it means is the art of bouncing back.’
Rumours swirled regarding the reason for Joshua’s poor performance, from suggestions he was knocked out in sparring to a pre-fight panic attack, while his dazed look in the ring seemed out of character – something he notes himself.
As the interviewer bounced on the spot, Joshua chimed in: ‘You didn’t even see that in the ring! In the ring before you saw me like this [leans back on the ropes]. You’re going to see [starts bouncing]. I’m gonna bounce back, you see what I’m saying?’
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