Andy Ruiz Jr ‘not in great shape’ ahead of Anthony Joshua rematch, admits heavyweight champ’s trainer
ANDY RUIZ JR is “not in great shape” as he begins preparations for his Anthony Joshua rematch, according to his own trainer. The heavyweight world champion, 29, will aim to defend his titles when he takes on AJ in Saudi Arabia on December 7. But he has plenty of hard work to do before then. […]
ANDY RUIZ JR is “not in great shape” as he begins preparations for his Anthony Joshua rematch, according to his own trainer.
The heavyweight world champion, 29, will aim to defend his titles when he takes on AJ in Saudi Arabia on December 7.
But he has plenty of hard work to do before then.
That is because, as he returns to the gym this week, trainer Manny Robles reckons he needs to shed the pounds, especially after being sent a package from his beloved Snickers for his shock win in June.
Speaking to ESPN, Robles said: “We’re working on getting back together this week.
“I was hoping it would be [Monday] but it wasn’t, so we’re definitely working on that right now.
“We didn’t have a training session [Monday], but we’re scheduled to start training this week.
“He’s not in great shape, but he’s hitting the gym back home in Imperial.
“He’s running the treadmill, but obviously we haven’t fully begun training camp.
“Once we do we have [close to] four months to get ready for a fight. That’s enough time to get him in shape.
“Let’s hope we can get him back in the gym real soon and get him going again.”
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Ruiz weighed in at 19st 2lbs for the bout in New York in June – but proved weight is just a number.
He put on a stunning display to shock the sporting world and inflict the first defeat of AJ’s career upon the British star.
And he will no doubt need to be at his best again in order to keep hold of the WBA, WBO and IBF belts in the Middle East.