Anthony Joshua v Andy Ruiz: British fighter made ‘drastic changes’ after June loss

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Britain’s Anthony Joshua claims he’s made”extreme” lifestyle modifications because his shock defeat by Andy Ruiz in June.
Joshua lost his IBF, WBA and WBO names since he was knocked down four days in front of a seventh-round stoppage at New York – one of the biggest upsets of boxing.
The group will fight in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia on December.
“Boxing was constantly the simplest part for me. The struggle was always maintaining my life in check,” Joshua, 29, told AFP.
“There will not be a aftershock after the first battle. I will be smarter. Getting bogged down was great.
“I have made some drastic changes, lifestyle things. Family priorities. The effort required to stay on the straight and narrow is challenging.”
The group faced off through an international media tour for the rematch on Thursday using Ruiz – who fights below a flag – wearing a sombrero.
Joshua pledged to regain his titles and insisted”stopping isn’t in my DNA”.
“As long as I have breath in me I keep on fighting to get the passion of boxing,” said Joshua.
“I confronted overcome as a recreational in my next fight. If I had ceased there will be. I dropped in the European quarter-finals. When I stopped then, there would be.
“Everyone in this area has been through certain things where no-one believed in them.
“I am not even gun shy and I am excited about getting back there and regaining my straps.”
As it was declared it would maintain Saudi Arabia the bout has attracted criticism.
Human rights organisation Amnesty International has highlighted the country’s”abysmal” human rights record. Restrictions on women’s rights and freedom of expression have been raised, as has the use of the death penalty for offences not recognised as crimes under international law.
The Kingdom has sought to improve the way that it’s perceived by staging entertainment and sporting events in an effort to entice people and move away from the economy.
Joshua said:”I’ve heard it [criticism of Saudi Arabia’s human rights record] ever since the fight was declared. It is a great thing that we are currently talking about it although it’s a point of conversation and they are behaving on it to make a shift.
“They’re making good changes and following these kinds of discussions, I start realising that yes, there is an issue there. My trips to the Middle East are to Dubai and I’ve had fun. The reception has been good.”
Speaking to DAZN, promoter Eddie Hearn said:”We cannot ignore the potential for boxing in the Middle East. I believe this is a of a shield in several respects. Each promoter in boxing tried to get to Saudi Arabia for a event.
“Not only Saudi but Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar would be bidding to get fights in future. You either embrace the change or twist your back on it and be an idiot.”
After the defeat in New York’s Madison Square Garden, Joshua said until the flourishing offer to deliver the struggle to Saudi Arabia has been confirmed, that he favoured a return to the American town.
“It was a part of the strategy [to struggle in New York back ]. That was my preferred choice,” Joshua explained.
His shock defeat in June – the first of the Briton’s career – headed to some calls for Joshua with Robert McCracken, who has trained him.
“This was a pretty difficult night,” McCracken said. “I don’t think Anthony was that evening but that looks like an excuse as Ruiz was great on the evening. We know he will be better prepared.
“I took flack for your loss, I have no problem with that as the head coach. I wouldn’t have said when I didn’t think Anthony could get his titles back, do the rematch. Anthony’s only mission is the belts back.”
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