Why Andy Ruiz Jr Wants Anthony Joshua Trilogy: ‘He Only Beat Me Because I Let Him’
Andy Ruiz Jr has called for a trilogy fight against Anthony Joshua in the near future during an exclusive interview with GIVEMESPORT.
But the much-anticipated rematch six months later in Saudi Arabia saw Joshua claim a comfortable decision win, as he outboxed Ruiz Jr over 12 rounds to take his belts back. Since then, Ruiz Jr has defeated Chris Arreola and Luis Ortiz by decision, before drawing with Jarrel Miller in his last outing, but no rematch with Joshua has ever been forthcoming.
Ruiz: Joshua Only Beat Me Because I Let Him
Immediately after the fight Ruiz admitted that he didn’t take the second fight seriously enough, saying he had spent three months partying and celebrating rather than preparing.
But when asked about a potential trilogy bout between the two, Ruiz Jr told GIVEMESPORT exclusively that he feels that would be the perfect fight for both men to return from their hiatus for.
“I think there has to be a trilogy with AJ,” he said.
“His life changed when we fought, and my life changed when we fought. I beat him. He only beat me 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.
“I’m not going to 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%. If I’m at 100%, and I’m in shape, I don’t think there’s anyone that could beat me.”
Ruiz Jr: I Can Beat Moses Itauma
Joshua’s last big fight came against YouTuber Jake Paul in an eight-round bout, where he claimed a knockout win in the sixth. That came after a 15-month absence, following his knockout loss to Daniel Dubois for the IBF heavyweight title.
Since then, the UK has seen a brilliant new heavyweight hit the scene in Moses Itauma, who reached new heights with a stunning knockout win over Jermaine Franklin last month to move to 14-0 with 12 knockouts.
The 21-year-old is being looked at as the next big thing in British boxing, but Ruiz Jr believes he has the skillset to beat the youngster, although he admits he would need to come in differently to previous fights to do so.
“I think me and Itauma would go at it though,” he said. I feel like I could beat these guys.
“Plus, I’ve been like Patrick Star, just chilling under the rock while everybody is getting beat up, having losses and this and that. So, I’m gonna come in fresh and I’m gonna come in differently than before.”
Ruiz: I Have Not Signed With Zuffa Boxing… Yet
Ruiz hasn’t fought since August 2024 due to injuries, and there has been speculation that he is one of the big names who has been signed by Zuffa Boxing, headed by UFC supremo Dana White.
But the Mexican ‘Destroyer’ told GMS that there’s no deal in place yet for him to sign with the promotion, although he did praise the way they are approaching the sport differently compared to others, such as Matchroom and the PBC.
“People are saying that I signed with Zuffa, but it’s not official,” he confirmed. “I haven’t signed any contract yet.
“Right now, I want to focus on myself. I want to be in the best shape of my life. And when I’m ready, then we’re gonna start looking around to see what fights we have and what promoters we’re going to sign with. But for now, it’s all about me.”
“With Zuffa, they’re growing. They’re doing a lot of things that are different, especially compared to Matchroom, PBC etc. They’re doing a lot of different things just by taking away the sponsors and controlling the whole scenario. That kind of thing scares a lot of fighters, unless you’re paid $15 million like Connor Benn. A lot of fighters depend on sponsors, they depend on their team, they depend on having enough tickets for their family, and all that, and fighting in a big arena.”
“Zuffa is a small arena, but you never know, it could get big. There are a lot of good things and bad things about it, but they’re trying to make boxing better, but we’ll see. Time will tell. How about Eddie Hearn and Dana White fight, too? I’d be there to watch that fight.”
