Pretty much what I expected.
AJ did well to remain disciplined, and executed the gameplan perfectly. I’d even go as far as saying that, that was probably the best performance he’s ever put in, tbh.
For sure, the style won’t have appeased a lot of people - and I notice he’s getting a verbal kicking on social media - but in reality we’re talking serious levels here, where getting the job done, comes much higher on the list of priorities, than entertaining the masses.
He actually reminded me of a prime Klitschko at times. Robotic. Ram rod jab. Controlled the distance. A typical, no-frills, Wlad-style victory. Don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t perfect, but then I don’t think he ever will be. The key point is, he utilised his best attributes, and performed at what I believe to be, the best of his abilities.
Ruiz on the other hand, did not have a good night. As good a performance it was from AJ, Ruiz played into his hands, and made it relatively easy for Joshua.
I had a feeling he’d adopt that centre-ring gameplan, which unfortunately for him, was the complete opposite of what he needed to do. The size difference was always going to be a deciding factor, and when you’re greatest skill is countering on the inside, with fast hands, you cannot afford to go chasing that bigger opponent.
He simply had to be smarter than that. I wanted to see him retreat, and force AJ to come looking for him. The reason he was so successful in the first fight, was due to the fact that AJ was hell bent on getting into him, so all Ruiz had to do was remain calm, wait for AJ to get into range, and then use that hand speed to counter Joshua, at will.
Unfortunately for Ruiz, he fell for AJ’s gameplan, hook, line & sinker. He tried desperately to close the gap, but he couldn’t get Joshua out of that comfort zone. Every time he moved close, Joshua swatted him away, changed the angles or simply tied him up.
Poor, poor display IMO, and what was even more concerning, was his inability to actually change his gameplan. Either his corner couldn’t work it out, or he himself couldn’t grasp it, despite it being ****ing obvious.
Where does AJ go now? Well, as usual the fans will clamour for him to face one of Wilder or Fury, but with both of them tied up, the most logical fight would be a rematch against Ruiz. Personally, I don’t need to see a third fight, but other than that, all he can do is keep busy against also-rans, until such time he actually signs the contract to go up against one of the top two.
AJ did well to remain disciplined, and executed the gameplan perfectly. I’d even go as far as saying that, that was probably the best performance he’s ever put in, tbh.
For sure, the style won’t have appeased a lot of people - and I notice he’s getting a verbal kicking on social media - but in reality we’re talking serious levels here, where getting the job done, comes much higher on the list of priorities, than entertaining the masses.
He actually reminded me of a prime Klitschko at times. Robotic. Ram rod jab. Controlled the distance. A typical, no-frills, Wlad-style victory. Don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t perfect, but then I don’t think he ever will be. The key point is, he utilised his best attributes, and performed at what I believe to be, the best of his abilities.
Ruiz on the other hand, did not have a good night. As good a performance it was from AJ, Ruiz played into his hands, and made it relatively easy for Joshua.
I had a feeling he’d adopt that centre-ring gameplan, which unfortunately for him, was the complete opposite of what he needed to do. The size difference was always going to be a deciding factor, and when you’re greatest skill is countering on the inside, with fast hands, you cannot afford to go chasing that bigger opponent.
He simply had to be smarter than that. I wanted to see him retreat, and force AJ to come looking for him. The reason he was so successful in the first fight, was due to the fact that AJ was hell bent on getting into him, so all Ruiz had to do was remain calm, wait for AJ to get into range, and then use that hand speed to counter Joshua, at will.
Unfortunately for Ruiz, he fell for AJ’s gameplan, hook, line & sinker. He tried desperately to close the gap, but he couldn’t get Joshua out of that comfort zone. Every time he moved close, Joshua swatted him away, changed the angles or simply tied him up.
Poor, poor display IMO, and what was even more concerning, was his inability to actually change his gameplan. Either his corner couldn’t work it out, or he himself couldn’t grasp it, despite it being ****ing obvious.
Where does AJ go now? Well, as usual the fans will clamour for him to face one of Wilder or Fury, but with both of them tied up, the most logical fight would be a rematch against Ruiz. Personally, I don’t need to see a third fight, but other than that, all he can do is keep busy against also-rans, until such time he actually signs the contract to go up against one of the top two.
