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Paul Ryding

Anthony Joshua gave a sublime display of disciplined boxing against Andy Ruiz Jnr as he reclaimed his world heavyweight titles in the historic “Clash on the Dunes” at the Diriyah Arena in Saudi Arabia on Saturday night.
The Londoner was handed the fight on the judges’ scorecards with all three awarding the first title fight to be staged in the Middle East to Joshua by wide margins to crown him a two-time champion.
It was a consummate performance from Joshua against a game but ultimately overmatched Ruiz, who came into the fight at the heaviest weight of his career.
Joshua won a unanimous verdict, with two judges giving the fight to the Briton 119-110 and the other 119-109.

Joshua executed his game plan perfectly, and was straight to his task landing a stinging right hand outside the left eye of the American and opening up a cut in round one. The die was cast from then on.
“I said to myself I was going to correct myself and come again,” Joshua said. “I wanted to put on a boxing masterclass; it’s all about hitting and not getting hit ... it’s all about preparation.”
They said he was all hype. He had to come back from humiliation in Madison Square Garden, and now he’s the ‘guv’nor
Eddie Hearn, Anthony Joshua’s promoter
Preparation was the key factor in this fight. Joshua looked primed and pumped. He went into the gym for an extended training camp after the fight was booked, while Ruiz has been busily enjoying the spoils of his stunning upset back in June adding a further 15 pounds to his already substantial girth.
“It was his night,” Ruiz said. “I didn’t prepare how I should have. I gained too much weight. If we have a third fight, I’m going to come in in the best shape of my life.”

Naturally, Joshua opted to fight much of the fight at range and began to dominate with his long jab.
Joshua was stung as a pivotal fourth round drew to a close, though, with Ruiz landing a slamming right hook around the back of the ear of Joshua and the London man’s legs stiffened momentarily.
But Joshua proved his ability to take a punch, which had been questioned in some quarters after the shock nature of his loss first time around in New York earlier this year, and dominated the fight from that point on.
Anthony Joshua–Andy Ruiz II reaction: boxing community has its say on ‘Clash of the Dunes’
“I took my ‘L’ and I bounced back,” Joshua said before Ruiz interjected and declared they should go for a trilogy bout. The London man and his promoter Eddie Hearn might need some convincing that a return with the awkward Ruiz would be the best thing for his future.

Redemption on the dunes for Joshua will reignite talk of a super fight with the other two giants in the division, WBC strap holder Deontay Wilder and the unbeaten Englishman Tyson Fury.
Hearn, set on enjoying his charge’s vindication, wouldn’t be drawn on Joshua’s next step.
“They wrote him off,” Hearn said. “They said he was all hype. He had to come back from humiliation in Madison Square Garden, and now he’s the ‘guv’nor’.”


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Boxing

Redemption for Anthony Joshua as he takes apart Andy Ruiz in ‘Clash on the Dunes’ to win on points

Britain’s Anthony Joshua celebrates after beating Andy Ruiz Jnr to reclaim his heavyweight world titles. Photo: AP

Boxing - Andy Ruiz Jr v Anthony Joshua - IBF, WBA, WBO & IBO World Heavyweight Titles - Diriyah Arena, Diriyah, Saudi Arabia - December 7, 2019. Andy Ruiz Jr in action with Anthony Joshua. Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

Defending champion Andy Ruiz Jr., left, takes a jab to the face during his fight against Britain's Anthony Joshua in their World Heavyweight Championship contest at the Diriyah Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Boxing - Andy Ruiz Jr v Anthony Joshua - IBF, WBA, WBO & IBO World Heavyweight Titles - Diriyah Arena, Diriyah, Saudi Arabia - December 7, 2019. Anthony Joshua celebrates winning his match against Andy Ruiz Jr. Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge

Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Saudi Arabia fight latest – but not the last – sports-washing success

Andy Ruiz Jnr (left) and Anthony Joshua (right) face each other, as promoter Eddie Hearn (centre) looks on. Photo: AFP

Andy Ruiz Jnr’s rise to the top started in Macau when he was on the undercard of Pacquiao and Zou Shiming

Andy Ruiz Jnr throws a hard left to the body of Anthony Joshua during their heavyweight title fight. Photo: AFP

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 01: Andy Ruiz Jr knocks down Anthony Joshua in the third round during their IBF/WBA/WBO heavyweight title fight at Madison Square Garden on June 01, 2019 in New York City. Al Bello/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 01: Anthony Joshua knocks down Andy Ruiz Jr in the third round during their IBF/WBA/WBO heavyweight title fight at Madison Square Garden on June 01, 2019 in New York City. Al Bello/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

Mexico's Andy Ruiz with American Joe Hanks at the weigh-in for Fists of Gold II. Photo: Unus Alladin

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 19: Andy Ruiz Jr. poses on the scale during his official weigh-in ahead of his heavyweight bout against Alexander Dimitrenko at Sheraton Gateway Hotel on April 19, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. Yong Teck Lim/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

Heavyweight boxer Andy Ruiz of the US

Andy Ruiz destroys Anthony Joshua to win heavyweight titles at Madison Square Garden

Andy Ruiz Jnr knocks down Anthony Joshua. Photo: AFP

Boxing - Anthony Joshua v Andy Ruiz Jr - WBA Super, IBF, WBO & IBO World Heavyweight Titles - Madison Square Garden, New York, United States - June 1, 2019 Anthony Joshua is given the count Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge

Anthony Joshua–Andy Ruiz II reaction: boxing community has its say on ‘Clash of the Dunes’

Defending champion Andy Ruiz Jnr is on the end of a huge right hand from Anthony Joshua. Photo: AP

Sport


England man wins historic heavyweight contest in Saudi Arabia
All three judges give it wide to the Olympic champion



England man wins historic heavyweight contest in Saudi Arabia by wide margin on judges’ scorecards.


Saudi Arabia

Redemption for Anthony Joshua as he takes apart Andy Ruiz in ‘Clash on the Dunes’ to win on points

England man wins historic heavyweight contest in Saudi Arabia All three judges give it wide to the Olympic champion

England man wins historic heavyweight contest in Saudi Arabia

All three judges give it wide to the Olympic champion