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'Cowardly': Anthony Joshua 'domination' divides boxing fans

Andrew Reid

Anthony Joshua has put on a boxing clinic to regain his heavyweight titles in a blockbuster showdown against Andy Ruiz Jnr in Saudi Arabia.

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Joshua won a unanimous verdict, with two judges giving the fight to the Briton 119-110 and the other 119-109, to take back the WBA, WBO and IBF belts.

Seen here, Anthony Joshua hits Andy Ruiz Jnr with a fierce right hand.
Anthony Joshua lands a big right on Andy Ruiz Jnr. Pic: Getty

Six months after being emphatically beaten by the Mexican in New York, the Brit gained his revenge courtesy of a resounding victory in Diriyah.

The much leaner Joshua controlled the fight from the onset, showcasing his boxing smarts by moving quickly inside the ring and picking his moments to strike.

Ruiz knocked down Joshua four times on the way to a seventh-round upset win in New York in June but there was none of the drama in the rematch at Diriyah Arena.

Joshua controlled the fight with his movement and better timing of his punches.

While many viewers praised Joshua for a technical masterclass, other fight fans took aim at the style of his victory.

The win sees Joshua regain his WBA, IBF and WBO belts.

Joshua improves his professional record to 23-1.

Anthony Joshua in control of bout

The rematch between the pair failed to emulate the fireworks they produced in New York back in June, Joshua instead opting to utilise his reach advantage and box behind the jab.

There were occasional moments of success for Ruiz, who had stunned the boxing world when he sensationally stopped the Briton to claim the belts at the famous Madison Square Garden.

However, his reign as champion proved to be short-lived, all three scorecards understandably going in Joshua's favour.

The 2012 Olympic gold medallist made his plan clear from the start, even when a big right hand in the first opened up a cut to the side of Ruiz's left eye.

Rather than rush in looking to finish the job, a tactic that cost him dearly in the first meeting, he opted to stay patient and stick to the plan laid out by his trainer, Robert McCracken.

Joshua was admittedly left bleeding himself after taking a blow in the second round, though it was one of the few occasions Ruiz – who had surprisingly weighed in 15 pounds heavier than earlier in the year - managed to catch up with his foe.

While the reigning champion controlled the centre of the ring for the majority of the contest, his inability to close the gap left him a long way behind as the rounds ticked by.

Even when Ruiz beckoned him in during the 12th, Joshua refused to take any risks. His restraint was duly rewarded with a unanimous victory, meaning he is once again on top of the world after getting the job done in Diriyah.

With agencies