Quote Originally Posted by Kirkland Laing View Post
Quote Originally Posted by TitoFan View Post
Fat Andy won the first fight convincingly. Slimming down considerably is just adding an X factor into the rematch that IMO needn't be there.
If he's in better condition it's not going to hurt. He'll have somebody who knows what they're doing cooking his meals, a strength and conditioning coach, an armed guard on the fridge. A proper training camp compared to last time. The knowledge he already beat Joshua convincingly and can take a big punch from him. A neutral venue. A mentally damaged Joshua who may well be happy to lose and retire with a gigantic Saudi payday in his pocket. I can't remember a rematch for an upset where so much was in favour of the upsetter.

Still... if Ruiz goes overboard in this slimming down business he's risking changing some things considerably for their rematch. It was the sheer volume and power of punches from tubby Ruiz the first time out that knocked out Joshua. Showing up for the rematch like the winner of a Jenny Craig weight loss competition isn't going to do him any favors. His condition in the first fight was good enough to take care of Joshua. Overdoing the weight loss could impair the effect his punches have on Joshua. Slimming down some is ok, but from some accounts, it seems he may be overdoing it. It's an additional X factor you just don't want to incorporate. Again... if it ain't broke, don't fix it.