• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Generation Iron

Generation Iron Fitness & Strength Sports Network

  • Movies
  • Original Content
  • Reviews
    • Supplements
      • Pre-Workout
      • Fat Burners
      • Testosterone Boosters
      • Creatine
      • Protein
      • BCAAs
      • Multivitamins
      • Omega-3
      • Joint Supplements
      • Super Greens
      • Meal Replacement
    • Recovery
      • Best Cold Plunges
      • Best Saunas
      • Best Foam Rollers
      • Best Massage Guns
    • Programs
      • Best Online Workout Programs
      • Best Workout Streaming Services
      • Best Home Workout Programs
  • Equipment
    • Cardio
      • Treadmills
      • Best Exercise Bikes
      • Best Stair Climbers
    • Fitness Accessories
      • Best Apparel
      • Best Gym Bags
      • Weightlifting Shoes
    • Strength
      • Best Dumbbells
      • Best Barbells
      • Best Kettlebells
      • Best Squat Racks
      • Best Weightlifting Belts
      • Best Home Gym Equipment
      • Complete Home Gyms
    • Training
      • Best Knee Sleeves
      • Best Wrist Wraps
      • Best Weightlifting Wraps
      • Best Weightlifting Gloves
  • More
    • About Us
      • Our Team
      • Our Experts
    • Advertise
    • Franchise With Us
    • Exercise Guides
    • Athlete Profiles
    • Podcasts
    • Power 30
    • Bodybuilding Awards
    • Supplement Awards
  • Shop
Boxing

Andy Ruiz Jr. vs Anthony Joshua 2: Was the First Fight a Fluke?

by Jonathan Salmon Published on Dec 5, 2019

This post may contain affiliate links (disclosure policy).

How will the rematch play out?

The first battle between Andy Ruiz Jr. and Anthony Joshua was pretty shocking to say the least. Andy Ruiz Jr. came in as the late replacement underdog with odds makers giving him little to no shot at toppling the then WBA, WBO, IBF, and IBO heavyweight kingpin Anthony Joshua.


Too bad for the champion, Andy Ruiz Jr. didn’t receive that message.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

I’m ready, are you? Drop a ? if you’re with me for the rematch, December 7 only on @dazn_usa Let’s goo ???? #ruizjoshua2 #clashonthedunes

A post shared by Andy Ruiz Jr (@andy_destroyer13) on Nov 22, 2019 at 10:24am PST

Andy Ruiz Jr. was able to come back from an early third round knockdown to unleash a devastating combination that took Anthony Joshua out of the fight. Ruiz would go on to stop Joshua in the seventh round becoming heavyweight champion in the process.

Now both fighters are set to lock horns once again in Abu Dabi, the victor leaving the (mostly) unified heavyweight champion. But how exactly will the fight play out? It’s an impossible question to answer, but analyzing the first bout between these two heavyweight warriors may offer some key clues as to how the second fight will unfold.

What caused the damage?

The interesting thing about the first match was that both fighters were hurt by essentially the same punch in the same kind of situation. Anthony Joshua dropped Andy Ruiz Jr. with a left hook set up by a right uppercut in the pocket at the beginning of round three.

https://thumbs.gfycat.com/TightRelievedGaur-mobile.mp4

Ruiz would go on to drop Joshua with a left hook in the pocket later in the round.

By the time we got to the seventh round we saw Ruiz gain more success with his counter punching, his speed becoming a problem for Joshua to handle particularly in close quarters.

How should each fighter approach the rematch?

Based on this information we see that both fighters are vulnerable to the left hook. Ruiz has a tendency to lunge a bit leaving the right side of this face exposed. Joshua likes to use a bit of Philly Shell, shoulder roll defense while moving to his left leaving him a bit open to the overhand right that was ultimately his undoing in the seventh round of the first match.

For Andy Ruiz Jr. he’s going to want to make a concerted effort to attack the body early and often. Because of his success in the first fight he began to head hunt a bit, which lead to the KO, but could leave him open to counters in the rematch. We have to imagine that because of his shorter stature, Ruiz will be more successful with a battle in close. That said he’ll have to be wary of uppercuts in the pocket as it was the punch that led to the left hook that rocked him in the first fight.

Jabs to the head then body, followed by the right cross to the midsection as well should serve him well. Mixing things up to head every so often to keep Joshua’s hands at bay will also be prudent. Most of all, feints and fakes are going to win the day for Ruiz as it will make it easier for him to enter the pocket where he can do that damage to the body.

On the other side of the equation, Anthony Joshua is going to have to take more of a conservative approach in this rematch. Where he had success initially against Ruiz by utilizing his longer weapons and even a blistering right uppercut, left hook combo in the pocket in their first fight, he’ll want to maintain the distance even more so this time around.

While fighting at range behind his jab may be a “boring” game plan, the reality is that frustrating Ruiz from the outside will actually afford Joshua greater counter punching opportunity down the stretch. A long jab to cross then pulling out of the pocket with a left hook counter when Ruiz retaliates could be a recipe for success for Joshua in the rematch.

There’s no clue as to how the rematch will play out, but these are some good strategies for viewers to keep in mind while watching. If you’re not tuning into this fight on Saturday afternoon then you’re crazy!

How do you think the rematch between Andy Ruiz Jr. and Anthony Joshua will play out?

For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.


Managing Editor at Generation Iron, Jonathan Salmon is a writer, martial arts instructor, and geek culture enthusiast. Check out his Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Sound Cloud for in-depth MMA analysis.

Header image courtesy of Instagram

About Jonathan Salmon

Managing editor of Generation Iron, Jonathan Salmon is a writer, martial arts instructor, and geek culture enthusiast. He has been writing about bodybuilding, combat sports, and strength sports for over 8 years. Check out his YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Sound Cloud for in-depth MMA analysis.

View All Articles

Primary Sidebar

Get the Latest

Stay informed with the latest news, product reviews, & expert advice.

Popular Reviews

  • best protein powders

    The Best Protein Powder Supplements of 2025 (Tried and Tested)

  • Best Creatine Supplements For Bulking & Muscle Growth of 2025 (Personally Tested)

  • top x pre workout

    The 14 Best Pre-Workout Supplements of 2025 (MD Reviewed)

  • Performance Lab SPORT BCAA

    The Best BCAA For Bodybuilding Health & Performance Goals

Trending Articles

  • female fitness models

    18 Best Butts On The Internet (Updated 2024)

  • ronnie coleman the king workout

    Ronnie “The King” Coleman’s Complete Bodybuilding Workout

  • Chris bumstead's 2024 workout and diet plan

    Chris Bumstead’s 2025 Complete Bodybuilding Workout & Diet Plan

  • The Ultimate Mike Mentzer Workout and Diet

Popular Now

  • best protein powders

    The Best Protein Powder Supplements of 2025 (Tried and Tested)

  • Best Creatine Supplements For Bulking & Muscle Growth of 2025 (Personally Tested)

  • top x pre workout

    The 14 Best Pre-Workout Supplements of 2025 (MD Reviewed)

  • female fitness models

    18 Best Butts On The Internet (Updated 2024)

  • best citrulline supplements

    The Best Citrulline Malate Supplements for Performance and Pump

  • ronnie coleman the king workout

    Ronnie “The King” Coleman’s Complete Bodybuilding Workout

Generation Iron

Generation Iron is the first and only digital network delivering health, fitness, bodybuilding, and strength sports content. We deliver premium content with the biggest names in fitness and provide expert coverage, reviews on top brands, workout tips and trends in the worlds of fitness, health and strength sports.

Strongman Corporation
Vladar

Sections

  • Trending News
  • Original Movies
  • Original Content
  • Supplement Reviews
  • Equipment Reviews
  • Exercise Guides
  • Nutrition Guides
  • Athlete Profiles

More

  • About Us
  • Our Team
  • Our Experts
  • Advertise
  • Franchise With Us
  • Podcasts
  • Power 30
  • Shop

CONTACT

Generation Iron Brands LLC
134 West 29th Street Suite 902
New York, NY 10001
Email: [email protected]

Follow

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • X / Twitter
  • YouTube

© 2025 · Generation Iron · Disclaimers · Privacy Policy · Accessibility