Andy Ruiz Jr has vowed to "go through" Anthony Joshua if the pair fight for a third time in future.
The former world heavyweight champion won his belts from Joshua in one of the sport's greatest upsets at Madison Square Garden back in June 2019. He defeated the Brit in the seventh round after being dropped in the third, and became the first world heavyweight champion of Mexican descent in the process.
But his run as champion only lasted a few months before Joshua activated his immediate rematch clause and relieved him of the belts in Saudi Arabia. Since losing the titles back to his old rival in an unanimous decision defeat, Ruiz has fought just once, squeaking past Chris Arreola last summer.
Ruiz Jr will return to action against Luis Ortiz in September at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, and believes he will get another chance at Joshua, or even Usyk depending on the result of their world title rematch next month. He is also eyeing up an all-PBC match-up with the hard-hitting former champion Deontay Wilder.
"God-willing we get this victory on September 4," Ruiz said at a press conference to launch his fight with Ortiz yesterday. "Of course if Wilder comes out of retirement I'd love to fight him, we've gone through the same work with Al Haymon and that would be the fight to make.
"But if not, then we can go through Usyk or Anthony Joshua. We can try to make that trilogy fight that I always wanted, but first I need to focus on Luis Ortiz, a hard-hitting guy. This might not go the distance, but I’m prepared to go all 12 rounds. We’re going to get this victory no matter what on September 4.”
The popular belief amongst fans is that Joshua will struggle to get back to the top table at heavyweight if he loses a second fight to Usyk on August 20. But he will still have a number of massive fights available to him, including a trilogy with Ruiz or a bout with Wilder after the pair were unable to make it happen when they held all the belts between them.
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As for Ruiz, he has been working with a new trainer after splitting with Eddy Reynoso, who replaced Manny Robles in his corner following the Joshua fight. He is now working with Alfredo Osuna and expects a big performance against Ortiz, who has only ever lost to Wilder.
“The main focus has just been training my skills," Ruiz said of his camp. "This isn’t a weightlifting contest, so I’ve been getting back to what originally made me a champion. I’m not here to lose weight or look the part, I just want to be the part. I think this is a similar fight for me to the Anthony Joshua fight, it’s just that he’s a lefty. We have a great team and we’re working hard. September 4 is going to be a hell of a fight.
“I wanted to work with (new trainer) Alfredo Osuna a long time ago, it just wasn’t the right time then. He’s used to training for lefty fighters. I feel like this is exactly what I needed for this fight. My team is going to bring the best out of me."
