Lotta talk about what the hell happened but I think its not simple
I think there was a bunch of factors led to this loss but overall I think a lot of things combined to the perfect storm to completely upend Joshuas world.
Usually he fights at home and when AJ fights the whole lead up is the AJ show. It's damn annoying. Matchroom tend to have enough money to hold all the cards and they match him well to where everything is in his favour, he just needs to perform. And he usually does.
Most of his stoppages are early but he would win those fights and it robbed him of vital experience. It also led to him being used to the referee basically being his friend. For AJ the referee is not there to enforce the rules, he is there to stop AJ when its become too much for the opponent. The few times he has been in a pinch the ref has been fairly ******* (just last month saw a fighter lose because he turned his back to the ref, like Joshua did, ref just ended the fight) and "on his side". It was almost painful to watch the realisation when the ref waved the fight and he realised he wasn't getting more time. And for his part, the ref was pretty much on his side. Any other fighter or the flip happening in this fight and the 4th kd doesn't happen, the fights stopped. So he lacks finishing experience due to the stoppages and he also lacks "fighting a wounded animal" experience and he paid a heavy price last night. His corner conversation also sheds light on how things usually go for him. Usually he is matched well, they know the opponent, he is well researched and they can tell him what to do. In fact between the corner talk and the attitude to the referee and getting hit, the whole thing reminded me of an actor being completely baffled as everyone around him just started adlibbing and he was still on script.
He had also never fought away from home and you could see the weirdness in him from the start. I think the occasion got to him. Stadiums are one thing but MSG is boxing mecca. HE was reminiscent of Eubank v Groves. Eubank really talked like he could handle that spotlight but he really was not ready for that "level" of event.
He also suffered by picking the wrong fighter. AJ has never dealt with someone who genuinely wanted to win since maybe Dillian Whyte and late rounds Wlad and last 2 rounds Joe Parker. Most people are happy to be there for the payday. He also hasn't fought a volume puncher, had issues with his last small maan (Povetkin) and (kinda like when Loma was caught by linares) he is not used to people still punching when the entire universe says it's pointless. In AJS head if he hits people he wins. He hit Ruiz and Ruiz punched him back. Again and again. And he could not get it in to his head that if he lands Ruiz knows where he is to land back. AJ also had been training for a large man. Conversely Ruiz had a full camp and is used to fighting bigger people, and likely personally feels he is already a world champ after the Parker debacle. I mean they picked someone who not only ticked all the wrong boxes, but probably felt like he should already own one of the belts aswell.
His corner also surprisingly lacks discipline, but usually they don't need it as what they bring is enough. Again reminiscent of Eubank.
Ruiz also had a gameplan they didn't adapt to. Aj was falling for his feints, fully blocking his vision with a raised guard and getting hit in the stomach.
Controversial and speculative I also think he was off cycle and it affected him more than he thought it would. In my way of thinking, they knew this fight would be stringent and thus played it safe. AJ of course would think he can win regardless. The decision would have been validated when Miller was popped proving yes they were being attentive this time.
He is also a young man, who has the entire weight of Matchroom on his shoulders (how do you think people "earn with hearn") as well as his country due to the government actually funding his am career/development. He has earned a lot of money already and it would take someone, not just elite, but special to carry all that weight effortlessly at a young age and sadly AJs just a good kid with work ethic and some heart.
Regardless the whole thing has been weird and makes me look again at the recent batch of people jumping ship from Matchroom. It's not hard to speculate that Eddy has been 100% wrapped up with Joshua with little time for anyone else, whereas before he made everyone feel like they were the superstar.
Again it's funny how much this reminds me of Eubank jr, only much higher profile and hugely funny given the history between Hearns/Eubanks and comments made in the past.
Huge cong**** to Ruiz Jr, who also looked fine post fight, seems a really nice guy and is just easy to root for. He just seems so happy.
I think there was a bunch of factors led to this loss but overall I think a lot of things combined to the perfect storm to completely upend Joshuas world.
Usually he fights at home and when AJ fights the whole lead up is the AJ show. It's damn annoying. Matchroom tend to have enough money to hold all the cards and they match him well to where everything is in his favour, he just needs to perform. And he usually does.
Most of his stoppages are early but he would win those fights and it robbed him of vital experience. It also led to him being used to the referee basically being his friend. For AJ the referee is not there to enforce the rules, he is there to stop AJ when its become too much for the opponent. The few times he has been in a pinch the ref has been fairly ******* (just last month saw a fighter lose because he turned his back to the ref, like Joshua did, ref just ended the fight) and "on his side". It was almost painful to watch the realisation when the ref waved the fight and he realised he wasn't getting more time. And for his part, the ref was pretty much on his side. Any other fighter or the flip happening in this fight and the 4th kd doesn't happen, the fights stopped. So he lacks finishing experience due to the stoppages and he also lacks "fighting a wounded animal" experience and he paid a heavy price last night. His corner conversation also sheds light on how things usually go for him. Usually he is matched well, they know the opponent, he is well researched and they can tell him what to do. In fact between the corner talk and the attitude to the referee and getting hit, the whole thing reminded me of an actor being completely baffled as everyone around him just started adlibbing and he was still on script.
He had also never fought away from home and you could see the weirdness in him from the start. I think the occasion got to him. Stadiums are one thing but MSG is boxing mecca. HE was reminiscent of Eubank v Groves. Eubank really talked like he could handle that spotlight but he really was not ready for that "level" of event.
He also suffered by picking the wrong fighter. AJ has never dealt with someone who genuinely wanted to win since maybe Dillian Whyte and late rounds Wlad and last 2 rounds Joe Parker. Most people are happy to be there for the payday. He also hasn't fought a volume puncher, had issues with his last small maan (Povetkin) and (kinda like when Loma was caught by linares) he is not used to people still punching when the entire universe says it's pointless. In AJS head if he hits people he wins. He hit Ruiz and Ruiz punched him back. Again and again. And he could not get it in to his head that if he lands Ruiz knows where he is to land back. AJ also had been training for a large man. Conversely Ruiz had a full camp and is used to fighting bigger people, and likely personally feels he is already a world champ after the Parker debacle. I mean they picked someone who not only ticked all the wrong boxes, but probably felt like he should already own one of the belts aswell.
His corner also surprisingly lacks discipline, but usually they don't need it as what they bring is enough. Again reminiscent of Eubank.
Ruiz also had a gameplan they didn't adapt to. Aj was falling for his feints, fully blocking his vision with a raised guard and getting hit in the stomach.
Controversial and speculative I also think he was off cycle and it affected him more than he thought it would. In my way of thinking, they knew this fight would be stringent and thus played it safe. AJ of course would think he can win regardless. The decision would have been validated when Miller was popped proving yes they were being attentive this time.
He is also a young man, who has the entire weight of Matchroom on his shoulders (how do you think people "earn with hearn") as well as his country due to the government actually funding his am career/development. He has earned a lot of money already and it would take someone, not just elite, but special to carry all that weight effortlessly at a young age and sadly AJs just a good kid with work ethic and some heart.
Regardless the whole thing has been weird and makes me look again at the recent batch of people jumping ship from Matchroom. It's not hard to speculate that Eddy has been 100% wrapped up with Joshua with little time for anyone else, whereas before he made everyone feel like they were the superstar.
Again it's funny how much this reminds me of Eubank jr, only much higher profile and hugely funny given the history between Hearns/Eubanks and comments made in the past.
Huge cong**** to Ruiz Jr, who also looked fine post fight, seems a really nice guy and is just easy to root for. He just seems so happy.
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