ANDY RUIZ has warned he will bring “the speed, and combinations” to upset “big robot” Anthony Joshua and become unified heavyweight king.
Mexican-American Ruiz, once called a “fat slob” by legendary promoter Bob Arum, has been handed the opportunity of a lifetime as he replaces three-time drug cheat Jarrell Miller on June 1 at Madison Sqaure Garden.
Taking the fight on five weeks notice the California born, named “The Destroyer” has vowed to change his family’s life and ruin Joshua’s US debut – and looks to use his eye-catching speed to do so.
Ruiz said: “I think the fight is going toe-to-toe, two guys smashing each other’s faces.
“I’m going in there to throw combinations like I’ve never done before, to improve my speed. A lot of people underestimated me, and I’m used to that.
“My whole life people underrated me so I’m just going in there to take all. I’m not going in there scared and I’m not going in there nervous, I’m going to go in there mad and to take what’s mine.
When I do pull out this win, everything is going to change. I’m going to bring the titles back to Mexico, it’s going to mean everything. I’m going to be able to change my whole family’s lives; my life and all my kids.
Andy Ruiz
“I think being so tall he fights like a big robot. I think with my style, my speed, my movement, I don’t think he’s fought anybody like me. It’s going to be a whole different ball game.
“All the guys that he’s fought, they usually run around from him. I don’t think he’s good going back. I’m going to bring the pressure, the speed, and the combinations to him.
“When I do pull out this win, everything is going to change. I’m going to bring the titles back to Mexico, it’s going to mean everything.
“I’m going to be able to change my whole family’s lives; my life and all my kids. It’s a win-win situation right now, but the main thing is to win the fight and make history.”
Ruiz, who one feared he was too fat to be a boxer and who last fought in a daytime scrap, was noted as a tougher test for AJ than Miller, by promoter Eddie Hearn.
Joshua is no stranger to change of opponents, however, having seen Kubrat Pulev replaced by Carlos Takam on two weeks notice in October 2017.
The unified champ told Sky Sports “the show must go on” after Miller was scrapped and WBC champ Deontay Wilder,Tyson Fury and Luis Ortiz were all otherwise occupied.
Joshua said: “It was the next best one we looked at all avenues . You got Fury – busy. Wilder – busy. Ortiz – he had his issues so he didn’t step up to the challenge.
“The other guys weren’t as good as Ruiz. Ruiz was keen, finally got his name on the signature and the show must go on.
“So here we are, June 1st continues.”
