Brilliant performance from Joshua. Wide cards, fantastic discipline from the Brit. 2-time world heavyweight champion!
Anthony Joshua BEATS Andy Ruiz Jr UD 119-109, 118-110, 118-110
Round 12: Some tremendous boxing to finish the fight from AJ. He also hits some big right hands for good measure. And it looks like we have a new world titleholder. Ruiz came and tried with his relentless pressure. But we await some very wide scorecards now.
Round 11: Another good round for Joshua. Ruiz needs the knockout as we enter the 12th round. If he can hang on then we have a two-time world heavyweight champion on our hands. Ruiz is, as always, dangerous.
Round 10: Ruiz eating some jabs from Joshua, who has shown discipline all night so far. He did this against Joseph Parker, and now he’s doing it to Ruiz. Joshua looking light on his feet as well. Those 10lbs lost eh?
Round 9: Better round for Joshua. The Olympic gold medalist is gaining confidence again but Ruiz remains a serious threat. He keeps coming forward and AJ is finding it hard to clinch. Ruiz is slipping out every time.
Round 8: The pressing is still coming from Ruiz, who is getting more and more frustrated. AJ looked a little miffed with an illegal shot there and then engages in a fire-fest with Ruiz, who windmills and hits Joshua on the back of the head. Ruiz’s best round.
Round 7: Joshua lands some hard shots but refuses to engage in any fire fights. Ruiz is getting frustrated in there, but Joshua will need to keep this up for the last five rounds.
Round 6: More nice rhythmic boxing from Joshua, Ruiz still working at the same pace but he takes a short left hook but nods back at AJ. Another round for the former champion, who takes a couple low shots at the end of the round.
Round 5: AJ keeping things long and landing some stiff jabs, he then does the same with his right hand and wins another round. He’s boxing brilliantly here and that was a slower round for Ruiz, who is still in there.
Round 4: More calmness from AJ, but the pressure is coming from Ruiz, who looks unfazed by anything that comes his way – Ruiz lands a nice shot at the end of the round.
Round 3: Relaxed round three from AJ, but Ruiz still the man pushing the action. This is what Joshua needs to continue to do, and if the big shot is there, take it. Ruiz doesn’t look phased, but Joshua looks calm.
Round 2: AJ learned from the first fight not to rush in. And now he’s looking good in the second round too. Good work from Joshua, who will feel comfortable now that he’s cut his Mexican rival. But AJ is cut this time after a clash of heads! Early drama here in Riyadh.
Round 1: Cagey round to start. Joshua uses his jab nicely but it’s Ruiz that’s pressing, much like late on in the first fight. Good boxing fro, AJ so far, though. More of that in the second round, please. Ruiz gets cut at the end of the round! Great right hand from AJ!