Andy Ruiz has stated that a trilogy bout with Anthony Joshua is inevitable.
In June 2019, the Mexican heavyweight pulled off one of the biggest upsets in boxing history by defeating Joshua as a massive underdog in New York.
Ruiz lost to Joshua in their rematch nearly five years ago
Unfortunately for Ruiz, he was unable to retain the unified world titles he snatched from the champion, losing in their lucrative Saudi Arabia rematch on points six months later.
After announcing his comeback fight against Jarrell Miller on August 3, Ruiz has praised Joshua for his recent form and called for a new sequel.
“He’s getting his momentum back,” Ruiz said. “He’s getting his confidence back.
“He’s doing what he’s supposed to do. I think he’s doing his thing. I’m just happy for him.
“I would love to have that trilogy with him. He gave me that opportunity.
“I gave him back that opportunity, and there’s one more. I want to become a two-time heavyweight champion of the world.
“AJ’s been doing good. He’s been taking out the guys that he’s supposed to.
“I’m sure if he fought someone else that had more s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁s, that wanted to win the fight and aren’t just facing him for the payday– and I feel that should be me.
Ruiz has urged Joshua to give him another opportunity
“I give it all I have. I die inside that ring. But he’s been doing good and he’s been doing his thing.”
Joshua has bounced back after two consecutive defeats to Oleksandr Usyk, winning three times in 2023 against Jermaine Franklin, Robert Helenius and Otto Wallin.
The former two-time champion then scored a huge KO over Francis Ngannou in March, and is pushing for a shot at the winner of Tyson Fury’s clash with Usyk.
He is expected to return to the ring in September in the UK, and any clash with Ruiz is unlikely to be in 2024, given ‘The Destroyer’ will fight again in December after facing Miller.
It has been a tough period for Ruiz, who has fought just twice since losing his rematch against Joshua, with his last outing coming against Luis Ortiz in September 2022.
But he will be hoping to finally work his way back into the title mix by getting back in the win column this summer.