Boxing promoter Frank Warren was not impressed in the slightest by what he saw from Andy Ruiz Jr in his unsuccessful world title defence against Anthony Joshua.
Ruiz Jr suffered a convincing decision defeat in a fight that he admitted he had not prepared well for. Weighing in at 20st 2lbs - over a stone heavier than when he first fought Joshua - Ruiz Jr told press after his loss that "There's no excuses. The partying got the best of me. The next fight is going to be a lot different."
Discussing Ruiz Jr's performance in his latest column, Warren branded the boxer as a disgrace:
[Ruiz Jr] brought disgrace to himself and the sport by simply failing to prepare to any sort of required level. Just because you are a heavyweight it shouldn’t mean you don’t have an obligation to display a certain degree of athletic intention.
He added "Joshua must have wondered which chin he was supposed to aim for."
"Professional athletes have a responsibility to ensure a level playing field on behalf of those who pay for the privilege of watching," continued Warren.
"What we ended up with was a fella who basically scoffed himself out being world champion and a spectacle that suffered as a result. The fault for this lies firmly with Ruiz, who didn’t have any legs to close down a Joshua on the retreat."
Warren claims that while Joshua did what he needed to do, if Tyson Fury had faced Ruiz Jr he would have beaten him in a stoppage but given Warren is Fury's promoter one would expect him to say that.
"I saw in an interview before the fight with Ruiz saying he had achieved his dream. Well, if his dream was to win the titles then stuff himself stupid and lose them at the first time of asking, then his dream has become a reality."
Ruiz Jr is now targeting a third fight with Joshua which he promises to be better prepared for: "People are still doubting me. I am still a dangerous fighter to anyone in the division. At 100% I can dominate anyone in the world."
See Also: Anthony Joshua Set To Avoid Fury & Wilder Once Again In Next Two Fights
