Britain's Anthony Joshua reclaimed his world heavyweight crown from Andy Ruiz on Saturday, outclassing the Mexican-American to score a unanimous points victory.
Joshua, who suffered a stunning knockout defeat to Ruiz in New York in June, produced a masterclass to regain his IBF, WBA and WBO titles in emphatic fashion. Dominating from the outset, Joshua won by margins of 118-110 on two scorecards with the third judge making it 119-109.
Billed as the "Clash on the Dunes", the eagerly anticipated rematch marked the first time a world heavyweight title fight has been staged in Saudi Arabia. And after entering the purpose built open-air arena at Diriyah, on the outskirts of the Saudi capital, just after midnight, it was Joshua who rose to the occasion with a stylish victory.
The final scores in no way flattered Joshua, who frustrated his heavier opponent with superb movement while picking off Ruiz relentlessly with his jab. Joshua, badly stung by his defeat to Ruiz at Madison Square Garden, was ecstatic after clinching a one-sided win.
"The first time was so nice, I had to do it twice," Joshua said as he celebrated becoming a two-time world heavyweight champion. The 2012 Olympic champion revealed he had adapted his style after June's loss to Ruiz, when he got drawn into a slugfest before being floored four times on his way to the first loss of his career.
"I'm used to knocking guys out and last time, I realized that I hurt the man but I got caught coming in," said Joshua, who improved to 23-1, 21 by knockout. No excuses, but I said to myself I'm going to correct it and come again."
"I just wanted to put on a great boxing masterclass tonight and also show the sweet science of this lovely sport," Joshua added. "It's about hitting and not getting hit."
Ruiz had shocked onlookers at Friday's weigh-in by tipping the scales at 283 pounds (128.4 kilograms), fully 15 pounds heavier than his weight in the first fight. Joshua by contrast came in at 237 pounds, his leaner, less bulky physique allowing him to dance around the ring for 12 rounds to leave Ruiz pawing at shadows.
Ruiz admitted he had prepared poorly for the rematch. "It was his night man," Ruiz said. "I didn't prepare as I should of. I gained too much weight. But I don't want to make excuses, he won, he bossed me around. But if we do a third fight you best believe I'm going to get in the best shape of my life."
Pressed on his excess weight, Ruiz said it had "affected me a lot." "I thought I was going to feel stronger and feel better, but on my next fight I'm going to get better prepared."
Earlier, Filip Hrgovic and Magomedrasul Majidov picked up knockout wins in the early stages of the Ruiz-Joshua undercard. The developing heavyweights came through their bouts against overmatched opponents without too much trouble as expected.
First up was Azerbaijan’s Majidov, a former amateur world champion who beat Joshua to claim his crown back in 2011. He floored his British foe Tom Little in the second round to begin an onslaught.
Little valiantly fired back, but was ultimately overwhelmed and stopped by Majidov as the referee jumped in before the end of the round.
Then came the turn of Croatian Hrgovic, a bronze medalist at the 2016 Rio Olympics. He had his American opponent Eric Molina down in the first, but no knockdown was given as the referee ruled it had been caused by a rabbit punch to the back of the head.
Hrgovic put Molina down again at the end of the second and then once more in the third, forcing him to accept defeat and be counted out. Hrgovic is now 10-0 (8 KOs), while 33-year-old Majidov is 2-0 (2 KOs).
Dillian Whyte was back in action on Saturday nightand it was a triumphant return. The Briton Whyte, 31, faced Poland’s 39-year-old former world title challenger Mariusz Wach and ground out a points win in the ten-round bout.
Also on the card, Michael Hunter and Alexander Povetkin shared a split decision draw after 12 entertaining rounds. It was a thrilling fight between the heavyweights who produced plenty of action, but ultimately could not be separated by the three scoring judges.
SOURCE : SAUDIGAZETTE
