It is a huge risk but AJ has put himself in this position where he was regarded as the best heavyweight champion and getting justly rewarded for it.

If AJ is not at that standard any more then it is better for him to find out sooner rather than string it out and lose to a lower rated fighter later.

I believe AJ became champion too soon but the division was so weak it would have been criminal not to take the opportunity to win the title against the worst champion in history. AJ was essentially learning as a champion and to illustrate that went the distance for the first time against Parker.

I cannot understand why AJ lost to Ruiz other than he let his standards slip and got caught. If it was just an “off night” then he should win it back.