Andy Ruiz Jr’s cocksureness will be his “downfall” against Anthony Joshua , according to Audley Harrison.
The pair will fight in Saudi Arabia on December 7 in a highly-anticipated rematch after Ruiz stunned the world to snap Joshua’s unbeaten streak as a pro earlier this year.
While the Mexican-American appears in fine fettle ahead of the second fight, Harrison believes the confidence gained from beating AJ first time round could work against him.
“It could go either way,” the 2000 Olympic Games gold medalist predicted. “Ruiz will be full of confidence. He has lost weight so will be quicker. Ruiz will be looking to open Joshua up like he did in the first fight.
“Joshua’s gameplan this time will be more about keeping the distance. Using his jab, tying him up when he gets in close.
“Anthony Joshua will hurt him like he did in the first fight. But he can’t get too excited and look to finish him too early.
“I see Joshua winning this fight as I think Ruiz might be overly confident. That could be his downfall. I think he can pull it off and shock Ruiz this time.”
Joshua only stepped in the ring with Ruiz after initial opponent Jarrell Miller tested positive for a banned substance.
He was initially written off as an easy opponent due to his frame but produced one of the greatest shocks in boxing history, winning via a seventh-round technical knockout.
As a result, Ruiz picked up all four of Joshua’s heavyweight titles.
But Harrison believes the Brit will get his tactics spot on in the rematch and reclaim his belts.
“I have known about Ruiz for quite a while so when I heard that Joshua is going to fight him, I was surprised as people assumed it would be an easy win,” he told World Boxing News . “I knew his power and technique.
“In the rematch, Ruiz will know that he can hurt Joshua, and will take confidence from that.
“He will be a much tougher opponent in the rematch, but Anthony Joshua is a smart guy. He knows he made mistakes in that first fight and has had plenty of time to work on them.
“If Joshua can use his distance and power, he will know that he can beat Ruiz up. If I was Joshua, I would keep him at distance and use the right hand to get on top of his opponent.”
