Wayne Alexander (Former European super-welterweight champion)
I feel very disappointed. It’s a very poor excuse. He had plenty of time to prepare and show the world his first victory was no fluke. This was his opportunity to show that he might be the best heavyweight in the world, but he didn’t even try to win. You have to look at his whole training camp and wonder whether they were in this fight to win or for one last big payday.
Miles Shinkwin (Former English light-heavyweight champion)
I think it was a cop out and if it is true, which I doubt, then more fool him. I think with the victory being so wide hopes of a trilogy are long gone.
Derek Williams (Former European heavyweight champion)
When you wear the crown of heavyweight champion of the world, you hold one of the biggest prizes in world sport. You are supposed to treat that prize with respect. I don’t think Ruiz Jnr realised the enormous load (pardon the pun) he had to carry, and Joshua done what he had to do and win almost every round.
Alan Hubbard (Journalist)
Ruiz diminished boxing as well as disgracing himself by living the high life rather than preparing professionally for the first defence of his title, a la Buster Douglas. He might well have been auditioning for a pantomime role with the Roly Polys. He did not take the title seriously; instead he took the mickey out of it.
