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via Getty

via Getty

The meltdown and the upset that Anthony Joshua exhibited following his recent loss to Oleksandr Usyk attracted a wide range of criticism from the community of boxing, especially the well-wishers of the sport. While some downright rebuked the unforeseen out-bursting of emotion displayed by ‘AJ’, others acclaimed Usyk’s ability to stay calm. Intimately related to the name of ‘AJ’, Andy Ruiz Jr., who fought the former twice, recently gave his opinion on the much debated Anthony Joshua “meltdown” following his second loss to Oleksandr Usyk.

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In a solicitous commentary, ahead of his bout with Luis Ortiz on September 4, Ruiz Jr. identified boxing as a lonely sport. In addition, he pondered over “how” they, fighters, went through what they went through in a sport like boxing.

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He said, “Us fighters, I don’t know how we go through what we go through. This is a lonely sport and ‘AJ’ is an amazing guy and he’s going to be fine.”

Andy Ruiz Jr. comments on the lack of confidence shown by Anthony Joshua

Unlike basketball and football, which are team sports, boxing is a “lonely sport” in the sense that the performer performs all by herself as long as she has to perform in the ring. Boxing being a sport that lacks team-participation of one kind demands a particular sacrifice and is hence exhausting, both mentally and physically, to a different level for those who wear the gloves to pen their names and sustain lives.

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via Reuters

According to Ruiz Jr., having comprehended the nature of boxing, Anthony Joshua needs to have more confidence in himself for the sake of the fight. He said, “He needs to have more confidence in himself. He threw down the belts. I think he was just mad he didn’t get his way. But he’s still a hell of a guy.”

In no way does Ruiz Jr. encourage Joshua throwing away his belts. However, he expects Joshua and everyone to realize that “AJ” is still a hell of a guy, who, last week, confronted by emotion, fell only a victim.

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What do you think about Andy Ruiz Jr.’s take on Joshua? Write down your thoughts in the comments.