Trainer Who Predicted Andy Ruiz Victory Over Anthony Joshua Says Former Champ Will Win Rematch

The trainer who sensationally backed Andy Ruiz Jr to shock Anthony Joshua in their first fight believes the Brit will get his revenge second time around.

Joseph Parker’s trainer Kevin Barry was in the minority who predicted the Mexican outsider would inflict Joshua’s first defeat of his career in June.

AJ was floored four times in total before the ref called off the fight in the seventh round.

Barry was in the corner when Parker beat Ruiz Jr in 2016 before losing to Joshua two years later.

Speaking to BBC, Barry revealed how he knew Ruiz Jr was a dangerous opposition despite the extra weight.

He said: “Andy was on TV coming off the plane, an overweight, short guy. I spent two weeks trying to convince the public that this was a fight against one of the toughest, most battle-hardened fighters at heavyweight.

“You take the mask aside – and by mask I mean the extra weight – and you have a man who was a good amateur and a man I’ve watched chop down big guys time and again.

“I took Parker to fight Joshua in Cardiff in 2018, so I had a front-row insight into that too. Parker has told me the hardest he has ever been hit was by Ruiz.

“I kept thinking about that and Ruiz had just been written off. So I made my opinion known.”

He added: “Ruiz has the belts and everyone says once you become champion you’re 10 per cent better and I think that is a fair statement.

“But I think Joshua will fight a totally different fight. When he had Ruiz down, all he had to do was take his time but he ran in with the wrong punches and put himself there to be hurt.

“This time we will see more poise. If he uses his skills and controls the pressure, I think Joshua wins the fight.”