Andy Ruiz Jr is serious about getting into the ring with Anthony Joshua, and wants the trilogy fight with his former rival next year.
Ruiz and Joshua have gone head-to-head twice in the past, with a 1-1 record. Their first encounter was in June 2019 when Ruiz shocked the world by dethroning Joshua, the then unified heavyweight champion, via 7th round TKO and clinching the WBA, WBO and IBF belts. The rematch took place six months later in December where AJ made his comeback, dominating Ruiz to a 12-round unanimous decision win to regain his world titles.
Since then rematch defeat, Ruiz did make his return to winning ways, defeating Chris Arreola in 2021 and Luis Ortiz in 2022, but the Mexican always had the trilogy against Joshua in mind.
And now with Joshua coming out of a superb victory over Otto Wallin at the “Day of Reckoning” event in Saudi Arabia last weekend, “The Destroyer” is even more inclined to make the fight happen and wants the trilogy in 2024.
Ruiz was present ringside during Joshua vs. Wallin at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh and after the fight, he was approached by Boxing News regarding his two cents on the fight and despite seeing his rival secure the win in the main event, Ruiz was rather unimpressed.
“It was an opponent he was supposed to beat up,” said Ruiz. “Somebody that doesn’t have that much skills.”
Then, he went onto insist that he wants the trilogy.
I would like to see him fight somebody that has a lot of skills or someone like me,” added Ruiz.
Today, Ruiz shared the same interview on X.com, adding “2024” in his post, suggesting that he wants the trilogy next year.
2024 🥊 https://t.co/5Ug6P1fy3c
— AndyRuizJr (@Andy_destroyer1) December 28, 2023
Anthony Joshua vs. Andy Ruiz Jr 3: can it happen next year?
Since their two fight saga, Ruiz did win both of his outings, but Joshua has been far more active for his part. The Brit has fought six times with a 4-2 record, having suffered the two losses only to Oleksandr Usyk, the current unified champion of the division. However, the likes of Kubrat Pulev, Jermaine Franklin, Robert Helenius and most recent Wallin, have tasted defeats against Joshua.
Last week, Joshua also insisted that he wants to stay even more active and is planning to have a four fight 2024, and whether or not one of them will feature Andy Ruiz against him will only be a matter of time and proper negotiations.
ALSO READ: Manny Pacquiao vs. Buakaw Banchamek Heading To Bangkok On April 20
