Former unified heavyweight champion Andy Ruiz Jr has shared prediction for the upcoming heavyweight title clash between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk, which will determine the first-ever four-belt undisputed champion of the division.
Ruiz, famously known for his monumental upset victory over Anthony Joshua, shared his insights ahead of the highly anticipated showdown.
The 34-year-old Californian made boxing history when he dethroned Joshua, claiming the WBA, WBO, and IBF titles in a stunning upset.
However, his reign as the first Mexican heavyweight champion was short-lived, as he lost the belts to Joshua in a rematch just six months later.
Despite his rollercoaster journey in the division, Ruiz remains a respected figure in the boxing world. With his predictions, Ruiz adds intrigue to the Fury vs. Usyk matchup, offering his perspective on how the fight might unfold.
Speaking to Boxing News, ‘The Destroyer’ offered his prediction ahead of the historic heavyweight contest and controversially declared that Usyk needs to be careful about being outboxed – a polarising opinion to the wider verdict that ‘The Gypsy King’ should negate the technical skills of the Ukrainian by overpowering him with his physical advantages.
“I think that if Usyk throws combinations, goes inside there and sticks to the game plan, doesn’t let Tyson Fury box him around – uses his jab, uses his distance – I think that Usyk could do good.”
After what will be an almost two-year hiatus, Andy Ruiz is finally set to return to the ring himself following his recently announced appearance on the Madrimov-Crawford undercard on August 3 at the BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, home of the LA Galaxy soccer team.
It is there where Ruiz will take on loud-mouthed Jarrell Miller, but claimed to expect minimal drama during the build-up.
“We are friends outside of the ring, but inside of the ring it is our business. He is basically going to become my enemy when we are in the ring, we are going to turn on that switch.
“It’s going to be an exciting fight, man, I am going to go in there and do my thing, I’m sure he is going to go out there and do his thing but you better believe that – god willing – we are going to get that victory.”
Meanwhile, Fury-Usyk will go ahead on May 18 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as fans eagerly wait in anticipation of what is sure to be one of the most memorable heavyweight encounters since the turn of the millennium.
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