Andy Ruiz confessed that he did not train well enough for his rematch against Anthony Joshua after losing the WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight titles.
The Mexican-American suffered a convincing defeat after his showdown with Joshua in Saudi Arabia went to the scorecards, with the Briton claiming convincing 118-110 118-110 and 119-109 verdicts.
While a leaner and smarter Joshua was able to box and weave his way to victory, Ruiz admitted that the extra weight he put on – coming into the fight more than a stone heavier than the 247lbs he weighed on 1 June – hindered him throughout the bout, making him sluggish and less powerful than he would have liked.
“It was his night man,” said Ruiz. “I think I didn’t prepare as how I should have, I gained too much weight. I don’t want to give excuses but I gained too much weight.”
But Ruiz immediately pressed his claims for a third encounter to complete a trilogy fight, claiming that if he gets a fresh crack at the world titles he will take his preparations much more seriously than he did this time around.
“Let's do it for a third time,” he demanded. “If we do the third fight I’ll get in the best f****** shape of my life, you better believe it. It did affect me a lot, I thought I’d feel a lot better, a lot stronger. I tried to train myself, I don't want to give excuses though. I couldn't put together my combinations.
“I think I was chasing him too much instead of cutting the ring, I was hesitating too much, I couldn’t get my combinations but I’ll be better next time.”
However, Joshua appeared to dampen talk of an immediate rematch
"I don't know, I don't want to talk too much. A big mouth is not what people respect. Whatever we can do, I will do,” he told BBC Five Live.
"Let the fans decide. We are up for anything. I'm made for this stage. Look at this, a purpose built stadium for a purposeful night tonight."
