Let’s take a quick look at the Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz odds:
Andy Ruiz Jr. shocked the boxing world in June with a stunning victory over heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua. Now, the Destroyer is back for seconds.
Joshua is looking to regain his WBA, IBO, IBF and WBO titles that were ripped from him when Ruiz knocked him out in the seventh round in the former champ’s American debut at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
Surprisingly, odds makers still don’t like the chances for Ruiz in this rematch, which is scheduled for Dec. 7 as the Clash on the Dunes in Saudi Arabia.
Andy Ruiz odds (+205) are currently listed at more than 2-1, while Anthony Joshua odds (-265) offer little value for a fighter who could still be reeling from a staggering upset (Ruiz vs Joshua odds provided by Bovada).
Another loss would be devastating for the 30-year-old Brit, who could be in line for some lucrative fights in 2020 against such opponents as Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder.
Your Joshua Ruiz odds are fixed if you make your bets now with top online sites like BetNow and GTBets, but the betting lines will change as the December fight approaches for the 12-round main event.
There are two other heavyweight bouts on the Dec. 7 card. Veteran fighter Alexander Povetkin (35-2) will face contender Michael Hunter (18-1) in an eliminator for the WBA world title, while undefeated Filip Hrgovic (9-0) will collide with former world title challenger Eric Molina (26-5).
“Three great fights for what is the boxing event of the year!” Matchroom Boxing USA president Eddie Hearn said. “The world will stop on December 7 to watch Ruiz vs. Joshua 2 and now they have more mouth-watering action to whet the appetite.”
Let’s take a closer look at the main event and try to pick the winner:
The former champ had previously won all 22 of his professional fights before he met Ruiz in New York City, with all but one of them by knockout. The six-foot-six former champion, who goes by the nickname AJ, has many critics questioning his preparation and talents after that stunning defeat in the summer.
The 2012 Olympic champion, who has slimmed down during training, has kept to himself these last few months. He has given little away ahead of the biggest fight of his life, although one of his sparring partners says he “heard all the right noises from the camp.”
Derek Chisora told his manager David Haye that the heavyweight was in fantastic shape.
“Anthony is the better boxer technically — but I thought that before the first fight. I watched what happened, I couldn’t believe my eyes and wondered what I was seeing,” said Haye, a former world champion himself.
“It all unravelled and that was hard for AJ. He had a bad day at the office, which can happen to anyone. Nobody expected it to happen — but now I just hope the real AJ turns up for this one.”
Joshua has had a full 12-week camp to focus solely on the man who dethroned him. He has brought in a group of sparring partners to mimic the fast hands and aggressive style of his opponent.
No more rumors. No more excuses. Anthony has had more than enough time to get in the best shape of his life and develop a strategy to take back those world titles.
The defending heavyweight champion of the world doesn’t have the surprise factor in his corner this time around, but the Mexican Rocky is out to prove his doubters wrong once again.
Ruiz has knocked off 10 pounds from his 262-pound frame in training, which should help him gain even more speed and stamina.
“The only thing that we’re doing is just training hard, staying in shape, and getting a lot of conditioning,” said Ruiz, who has a 33-1 career record with 22 knockouts. “So for this, we’re going to be doing the same thing, a lot more conditioning and just letting my hands go. I think that’s the main thing.”
The only loss for Ruiz came in December 2016 in Auckland, New Zealand when Joseph Parker won a unanimous decision on home soil. Since then, the 30-year-old has won fourth straight fights, all of them held in the U.S.
“Andy has got the blueprint to beat him (Joshua),” Parker said. “I wouldn’t say exposed him, but you put pressure on, throw punches and combinations and you do your best to land.”
Ruiz floored Joshua four times in their bout in June. He landed more punches and combinations than his opponent. The result was no fluke. Even though Ruiz is now the champion, the pressure is still on Joshua — the overwhelming fight favorite.
“I am going to make history and win in the same fashion and the same way I did on June 1st and prove everybody wrong,” Ruiz claims.
VGB’s pick — Ruiz (+205). The odds suggest Joshua should win this fight with ease, but that’s exactly what the same odds suggested the last time these two tangled.
See below the top sportsbooks where you can wager online and choose the best one for you:
