Sports
Joshua Fights Like A Robot -Ruiz Jr
World heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua “fights like a big robot”, says Andy Ruiz Jr, who has vowed to “make history” when they fight on 1 June.
Ruiz, 29, has been confirmed as Joshua’s opponent for his US debut, replacing Jarrell Miller following the American’s failed drug tests.
Joshua, 29, has been installed as a 1-25 favourite with bookmakers.
He said: “My whole life people underrated me so I’m going in there to take all,” said Ruiz, who has 32 wins from 33 fights.
“I’m not going in there scared and I’m not going in there nervous, I’m going to go in there mad and to take what’s mine.”
Ruiz, a Mexican-American based in California, is bidding to become Mexico’s first ever heavyweight world champion.
In his only world title shot and defeat to date, he was beaten on points by New Zealand’s Joseph Parker, who later lost his WBO title to Joshua.
“There’s nervousness in me, but they’re happy nerves,” added Ruiz. “This is my chance to make history.
“I think the fight is going toe-to-toe, two guys smashing each other’s faces. I’m going in there to throw combinations like I’ve never done before, to improve my speed.
“I think being so tall he fights like a big robot. I think with my style, my speed, my movement, I don’t think he’s fought anybody like me. It’s going to be a whole different ball game. I’m going to bring the pressure, the speed, and the combinations to him.
“When I do pull out this win, everything is going to change. I’m going to bring the titles back to Mexico, it’s going to mean everything. I’m going to be able to change my whole family’s lives; my life and all my kids,” he said.
Joshua has not fought since his impressive stoppage win over Alexander Povetkin in September.
The IBF, WBO and WBA world champion was well into training camp when news of Miller’s failed drug tests emerged, prompting a search for a suitable opponent.
“Ruiz is a different kind of challenge but one I embrace,” said Joshua, who has 22 wins from 22 fights.
“We have worked in the boxing gym week on week and whomever is put in front of me at Madison Square Garden will be dispatched in style. The rent will be collected.”
Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn has backed the champion to use the bout to make a telling impact in the US.
Hearn believes Ruiz is “a tougher test” than Miller would have proven, stating the challenger “punches harder and is much faster”.
“People talk about fighting AJ, some even have to fill their bodies with performance-enhancing drugs to try and beat him up, but very few genuine fighters step up and take the challenge,” Hearn said.
“Andy brings Mexican heart but he will meet the best heavyweight in the world in June head on at the Garden.”
Port Harcourt the capital city of Rivers State will be at the centre stage in Nigeria as Port Harcourt Arsenal Community will hold her maiden edition of Football Fans Fiesta (FFF).
The Fiesta scheduled to hold on the 13th December, 2025, at Eddiz wine bar GRA, promises to be all football fans carnival in the State , as there will be a lot of fanfares.
The Coordinator of Port Harcourt Arsenal Community (PHAC), Ugochukwu Oputa has said that the forthcoming Football Fans Fiesta was basically to promote peace, unity and love among football fans in irrespective of the cub.
He stated that sports is a catalyst to bring peace, love and Unity in any given society, hence the occasion was initiated.
Oputa said this in an interview with sports journalists in Port Harcourt yesterday, saying that arrangements are on top gear for a successful programme.
” This event is for all football fans irrespective of your club. It is basically to promote peace, love and Unity among fans.
“It is like stating the obvious that football is the catalyst of peace and unity in the world. So the Port Harcourt Arsenal Community want to use this avenue to bring people together and foster friendship.
“There is no gate fee, but it is expected to put on jersey of your club as to make the event look unique” Oputa said.
The Coordinator used the forum to advice football fans in the world to love one another, and equally urged fans that will attend the occasion to be of good conduct and behaviour.
Tonye Orabere
Consistent with its project execution routine, Dunamis-Icon Limited, Project Consultants of the Niger Delta Games, has concluded the first phase of physical inspection and evaluation of facilities for the event, 24 hours after the presentation of the hosting right to Edo State was performed.
The project management team was guided round select facilty locations in Benin City by Desmond Amadin Enabulele, Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, and the team leader, Sir Itiako Ikpokpo expressed satisfaction with the sports infrastructure assets of the host.
“Edo is a ready-made choice based on all the factors that are necessary to host this kind of big event. We are expecting over 3000 athletes coaches, alongside journalists and technical officials, with an approximate number of people outside spectators in the range of 5000. So, we need facilities that work for the games itself”, Ikpokpo explained.
He commended the Edo State Government for the good state of facilities at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, and promised that the state will be assisted with the renovation of some of the facilities as may be necessary to ensure good competition experience for the athletes.
“I have been to the iconic Ogbe Stadium and must commend the Edo State Government for maintaining the facilities there. We are also considering taking some events to the University of Benin, so that people in that part of the city can also feel and enjoy the fun. Where need be, we will also see how to assist the state and the University of Benin to add value to some of the sporting facilities”.
Dunamis Icon Limited is the franchise rights owner to the games conceived and designed to provide a platform for unity and integration, and identifying and grooming talented youths from the region into national and international stars.
The NDDC as the flagship interventionist agency for the nine states that make up the region, is the prime sponsor of the games as part of their strategic focus on youth engagement and human capital development.
The inspection tour began at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, after a brief meeting with Enabulele and the Sports Commission team at his office.
Areas inspected include the stadium’s main bowl, the tartan track, the state box, the VIP lounges and other key areas like the ceremonial room, the media studio and other indoor facilities.
Other facility locations assessed are the Wire Road Sports Centre being listed to host basketball and volleyball games, the University of Benin Sports Complex, and the Etete Sports Centre.
In the entourage of Dunamis-Icon were the Project Director, Mr Fred Edoreh; Director of Facilities and Equipment, Dr Emmanuel Ochuko Igbigbisie; the head of Communications, Harry Iwuala; Head of Transport and Logistics, Israel Umueri Afoke. Others are Theresa Ineke, Head of Secretariat, Godwin Enakhena, the Head of Scouting, Mr. Edi Lawani, the Head of Culture Affairs and Entertainment and Elder Siegha Porbeni of the Technical Department.
The Edo Sports Commission Chairman was also supported by Hon. Frank Ilaboya and Mrs Sabina Chikere, Executive Directors, with Mr Baldwin Bazuaye (MON) also in the company.
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