Anthony Joshua has sent a classy message to his fans following his victory over Andy Ruiz Jr. Joshua reclaimed the WBA (Super), WBO, IBF and IBO heavyweight titles with a scintillating performance in Saudi Arabia on Saturday night.
The Olympic gold medallist avenged the first professional defeat of his career with a unanimous decision victory over Mexico’s first champion, whom he frustrated with a lightening-fast jab and slick footwork.
Victory at the Diriyah Arena saw Joshua become a two-time heavyweight champion and silence the critics who have derided him for the last five months.
‘AJ’ was in a philosophical mood after the fight, a state of mind which was reflected in his Instagram posts following his 23rd professional victory.
“My hope is that someone sees my page and decides not to give up,” read one of the 30-year-old’s posts. “Clean hearts win.”
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And should they meet for a third time, Ruiz Jr insists he’ll come into the contest in significantly better shape.
“It was his night, man,” a crestfallen Ruiz Jr said of Joshua in his post-fight interview. “I think I didn’t prepare how I should’ve.
“I gained too much weight. But I don’t want to give excuses. He boxed me around.
“But you know what, if we do the third fight, you best believe I’m going to get in the f*****g the best shape and I’m going to be in the best shape of my life.”
Ruiz Jr, who tipped the scales at a staggering 283lbs on Friday, added: “It kind of affected me a lot. I thought I was going to feel stronger and going to be better.
“But you know what, I think the next fight I’m going to be more prepared and I’m going to work with my team a bit more.
“I tried to train myself, kind of, for this preparation.
“Like I said, I don’t want to give no excuses. Anthony Joshua did a hell of a job.”