Anthony Joshua called out by Andy Ruiz Jr for trilogy fight but ex-champ says Eddie Hearn is too ‘traumatised’
ANDY RUIZ JR has called out Anthony Joshua to a trilogy fight – but he fears Eddie Hearn will be too “traumatised” to allow it.
Ruiz shocked the world in June 2019 by flooring AJ four times on the way to winning the unified heavyweight titles in round seven.
But for the rematch six months later in Saudi Arabia, he was comprehensively outboxed over 12 rounds.
The trilogy decider between the two has since failed to materialise and Ruiz has put it down to promoter Hearn.
He told ESNEWS: “I don’t think they want to fight. I think Eddie Hearn is already traumatised.
“He doesn’t want to match him against anyone good unless he’s trying to get his money and leave.”
Ruiz, 34, confirmed he is willing to fight Joshua, also 34. on away soil and vowed to redeem himself having weighed 20 STONE for his rematch loss.
He said: “Of course, I’ll go over there.
“Remember, when I fought him in the ring, I was overweight. I forgot everything that I was doing with the rematch.”
Ruiz had been negotiating a blockbuster with ex-WBC champion Deontay Wilder, 37, but he was accused of pricing himself out.
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Although he hit back: “I’ve been stuck on the shelf, hiding myself. A lot of people don’t know the situation I’ve been in and my problems.
“That’s one of the reasons I wanted to come over here to show my faith, and I’m ready to get back in action.
“By next year, I want to fight three or four times. I want to get a fight in. We’re still waiting for Wilder.
“I’m telling everybody that I never asked for $25million. That’s bulls**t. Tell him to show me the proof of where I told him that I wanted $25million.”