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Watch highlights of the heavyweight title rematch between Anthony Joshua and Andy Ruiz Jr.
It was not a scintillating performance in Saudi Arabia, but Anthony Joshua (23-1, 21 KOs) fought a very disciplined fight and was able to thoroughly outbox Andy Ruiz Jr (33-2, 22 KOs) on his way to a unanimous decision win. Six months removed from a shocking TKO defeat to Ruiz in New York, Joshua was able to stick-and-move, pick apart Ruiz with his jab, and avoiding those fiery exchanges with Ruiz that felled him the last time.
Watch the highlights below, as Ruiz’s success was few and far between, while Joshua’s consistent round-winning offense was something that Andy could not overcome.
RUIZ IS CUT. #RuizJoshua2 pic.twitter.com/pGVgdxKIqo
— DAZN USA (@DAZN_USA) December 7, 2019
Ruiz is starting to find his rhythm. #RuizJoshua2 pic.twitter.com/E1oJNhPsbe
— DAZN USA (@DAZN_USA) December 7, 2019
Joshua jaws at Ruiz at the end of Round 10 #RuizJoshua2 pic.twitter.com/fJ52G28hSs
— DAZN USA (@DAZN_USA) December 7, 2019
Here’s Tim Burke’s play-by-play of the last two rounds:
Round 11 – Joshua digs to the body. He’s sticking to the plan, staying outside and popping the jab. Ruiz throws a wild shot that wasn’t close to landing. Body work from Joshua. Pretty jab on the back foot from Joshua. Ruiz lands a left. He can’t find his spot though. AJ pops him with yet another jab. This is a clinic in disciplined fighting. 10-9 Joshua.
Round 12 – Ruiz with a jab, one of the few he’s found the mark with. He’s pushing forward, because he has to. AJ is circling and jabbing. Hard right from Ruiz, he’s not done yet. Joshua lands a counter left. Jabs galore from Joshua, and he’s smartly just staying out of range. Left hook from Ruiz only lands softly. Right hook scores though as AJ circled into it. Ruiz wants him to step into the middle at throw. AJ ain’t having that though. 10-9 and 118-109 Anthony Joshua on my card.
Anthony Joshua defeated Andy Ruiz Jr. via unanimous decision (118-110, 118-110, 119-109)