ANTHONY JOSHUA definitely deserves credit for regaining his world heavyweight titles. He did what he needed to do, using his height and reach while showing greatly improved stamina. However, the inescapable truth is that he did it the only way he could – by running and holding. He knew that he couldn’t KO Andy Ruiz Jnr, who took his best punches over the course of the two fights. Ruiz, though, was very disappointing in the rematch. There is no doubt that he came in well overweight. He was slow and sluggish compared to the fighter who surprised everybody back in June. And he knows it. The post-fight press conference with Ruiz was almost as interesting as the fight itself. It is one win apiece between the two and a trilogy fight should take priority over mandatory defences. Joshua should be prepared to vacate the belts in order to cement his legacy, rather than taking relatively ‘easy’ mandatories. Pulev is not a valid contender and although Usyk could well become a force in the division he has only had one fight at heavyweight so far. Joshua still has doubters and therefore must take only meaningful fights. Right now, those fights are Ruiz again, Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury. Chris Strange
QUESTION MARKS
ANTHONY JOSHUA’S win over Andy Ruiz Jnr was good for sure, but his loss in the first fight has still left a number of question marks hanging over him. His chin still looked suspect and he seemed a bit gun-shy, too. Would anyone really pick him at this moment to beat Deontay Wilder or Tyson Fury? I’d like to see Joshua in fights against Kubrat Pulev and Oleksandr Usyk before he thinks about taking on Wilder or Fury. The bottom line is that Joshua, for me, is currently the No. 3 heavyweight behind Wilder and Fury. Stuart Greenberg
COMMENTARY COMMENTS
WELL done to Anthony Joshua for exorcising the ghost of his June defeat to Andy Ruiz Jnr. However, I must convey my disdain for the Sky Sports Box Office coverage. Firstly, the commentary was awful. I feel Adam Smith has lost his neutrality in fights and Tony Bellew was so biased it was uncomfortable. Thankfully, Matthew Macklin had a more balanced view, but for £25 I would appreciate an option to have no commentary – it has got that bad. In future, I will seriously consider listening to the radio for big fights, where the likes of Mike Costello and Steve Bunce provide a much more balanced, professional commentary. Simon Kelly
