Andy Ruiz Jr would give one man a “big chance” of emerging victorious if Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury end up colliding later this year.
The two heavyweights have signed contracts to square off, yet the location has become a major talking point as both sides seemingly remain at loggerheads.
According to Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn, Joshua initially agreed to fight in the UK and has now outlined his terms for a proposed event at New York’s Madison Square Garden.
Fury, meanwhile, appears to have no issue with a stateside showdown, while Queensberry promoter Frank Warren insists that negotiations cannot continue beyond next week.
As for the matchup itself, many have made Fury a sizable favourite following his seventh-round stoppage of the 46-year-old Mariusz Wach last month.
While it was hardly a vintage performance, ‘The Gypsy King’ nonetheless appeared to complete his warm-up fight with relative ease, whereas Joshua almost suffered a first-round defeat to the previously little-known Kristian Prenga.
With ‘AJ’ ultimately securing a second-round stoppage, though, former opponent Ruiz – who famously toppled the Brit in 2019 – has told Ring Magazine that he does not rule out a Joshua victory against Fury.
“From seeing their [last] performances … I think AJ has a chance to win if he goes in there, tries to pressure [Fury] and throws his haymakers.
“But this is the thing with Tyson Fury: he talks; he can get in peoples’ heads; he can move around; he’s unpredictable.
“But, with Anthony Joshua, he’s a tough guy. He has a big chance, and I would love to see Anthony Joshua beat [Fury].”
Ruiz also highlighted Joshua’s mental strength, with the 36-year-old having bounced back from knockdowns, defeats and, most profoundly, a tragic car crash that took the lives of his two close friends.
