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Anthony Joshua's New Opponent Andy Ruiz Jr Hits Harder Than Deontay Wilder

Anthony Joshua's New Opponent Andy Ruiz Jr Hits Harder Than Deontay Wilder

"Numbers don’t lie."

Nasir Jabbar

Nasir Jabbar

Andy Ruiz Jr hits hard. Really hard.

The heavyweight contender is set to fight Anthony Joshua for all the marbles.

When he faces the undefeated-Brit on June 1, three major world titles will be on the line.

Sure, Ruiz Jr is an outside bet but he's capable of causing some serious problems to Joshua on fight night.

Don't be fooled by his soft belly - he can fight. He's got fast hands and hits like a truck. Case in point: punch machine.

The 29-year-old took part in the 'PBC Punching Machine Challenge' and it's fair to say he smashed it. He recorded a massive 967 score.

The power of Snickers. Ruiz Jr always eats a Snickers before he jumps in the ring in a wonderfully-bizarre pre-fight ritual.

He's hoping to become Mexico's very first boxing heavyweight world champion.

"This is my chance to make history," he said. "I want to be one of those greats like Julio Cesar Chavez, Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield, Lennox Lewis. I want to be in that category.

"I think the fight is going toe-to-toe, two guys smashing each other's faces," he said. "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."

Image: PA
Image: PA

Joshua, on the other hand, is embracing the late switch of opponents.

"Ruiz Jr is a different kind of challenge but one I embrace," he said. "We have worked in the boxing gym week on week and whoever is put in front of me at Madison Square Garden on June 1 will be dispatched in style. The rent will be collected."

Does Ruiz Jr stand a chance against Joshua? Let us know what you think.

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Topics: Boxing News, Andy Ruiz Jr, Anthony Joshua, Boxing, Heavyweight, Eddie Hearn, Fight News, Deontay Wilder