Anthony Joshua must cope with a change of opponent, Deontay Wilder speculation, and the pressure to impress in New York. A Panel of experts have given their opinions on whether AJ will be unsettled ahead of his US debut.
Joshua defends his WBA ‘Super’, IBF and WBO heavyweight titles against Andy Ruiz Jr at Madison Square Garden on Saturday night, live on Sky Sports & DAZN.
Britain’s unified champion has not experienced an ideal build-up, with Ruiz Jr stepping in after original opponent Jarrell Miller failed a drug test, while WBC champion Wilder has appeared to delay an undisputed world title fight after weeks of debate. Joshua must now focus on producing another explosive win in front of an American audience.
Johnny Nelson:
We’ve seen it in the past, we’ve seen it happen so many times before. The difference between AJ and the rest of them is that he is a total professional in regards to his build-up to a fight.
My only worry is he tries to give the fans a show, give them two or three rounds, and then get rid of Ruiz Jr. I hope he doesn’t do that. I thought he did that with Carlos Takam. When he stepped on the gas and Takam didn’t go, it ended up being a bit more of a struggle than it should have been.
Get the job done, make a statement to say ‘look, I’m a class above this’. Let us worry, let him do the job.
Dillian Whyte:
He is professional and experienced. He knows what is at stake. He won’t take his eye off the ball. Wilder blew away Dominic Breazeale in a round, so Joshua will want to get rid of Ruiz Jr in good style.
He must be 100 percent focused. Ruiz Jr is good, but hasn’t got the power. To beat Joshua you need to be a good boxer, have a really good chin, and be a massive puncher. Ruiz Jr has good combinations but his feet are slow and he has no defence.
He is good for Joshua – short enough, lets his hands go enough, leaves himself open just enough. Joshua will pick him apart and stop him inside six rounds.
Hasim Rahman:
From what I’ve seen, he is a consummate professional. He will not take Ruiz Jr lightly, and he will come through in dramatic fashion.
Anthony knows what is at stake, and he doesn’t want to mess up potentially the biggest undisputed fight ever. He doesn’t want to jeopardise that.
With the performance that Deontay Wilder [put in against Dominic Breazeale], Joshua has to at least match that. It’s a must. He has to. If he goes the distance with Ruiz Jr, it will make things harder at the negotiating table. Deontay has done his part.
Dave Coldwell:
That’s always a risk when you are talking about fights down the line. The thing is, I see AJ as one of the most professional and well-rounded fighters that’s out there. He’s always working to improve himself, regardless of the opponent.
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