Former heavyweight champion Andy Ruiz Jr. named the highest 5 boxers on his pound-for-pound listing with no shock who tops it.
The one-unified top-division puncher who turned the primary man to take out Anthony Joshua in 2019 surprisingly named the Briton on his top-five listing. Ruiz compiled the classifications a short while earlier than Daniel Dubois took AJ out for the second time in his profession, however why the Londoner was current stays a thriller.
Just one cheap clarification can decide why Ruiz would have Joshua above Naoya Inoue. That’s the truth that Joshua beat him in a rematch. Ruiz clearly holds that win for Joshua in increased regard than most, because it’s a widely known proven fact that he didn’t prepare for the struggle and placed on huge weight after successful the world title.
Nonetheless, Joshua made it onto the highest 5 as Ruiz gave his view to DAZN earlier than his draw with Jarrell Miller.
“Primary, I need to say Canelo as a result of he’s a Mexican fighter. He wins all his fights, does his greatest, and particularly represents Mexico,” famous Ruiz.
“Two, Terrence Crawford. He’s such a talented fighter, a harmful fighter. He could possibly be lefty or righty. He’s like a dictionary in boxing. Quantity three, I’m going to say Usyk.
“Usyk completed so many issues. He was the undisputed cruiserweight and undisputed heavyweight. In order that’s one thing actually massive that I feel, and he particularly represents God and Jesus Christ.
“Quantity 4, I say ‘Tank’ [Gervonta] Davis as a result of he does what he’s going to say. He knocks down all his opponents and provides an incredible present.
“And quantity 5, I can say Anthony Joshua. From all of the losses, all of the issues that occurred to him, he got here again, and he did his factor now.”
Pound for Pound Boxing Rankings – High 50 boxers on the planet
Joshua ‘did his factor’ in opposition to inferior opponents Jermaine Franklin, Robert Helenius, and Francis Ngannou, resulting in undeserved reward from Ruiz.
Earlier than Dubois battered AJ from pillar to put up, the ex-world champion wasn’t ranked within the WBN High 20. After the Wembley wipeout, Joshua is not on the WBN High 50 listing, becoming a member of Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder within the P4P wilderness.
It’s the primary time in over a decade that not one of the three ex-heavyweight rulers have featured within the Pound for Pound argument.
At the very least Andy Ruiz Jr. isn’t answerable for the actual Pound for Pound listing.
The views expressed on this article are the opinions of Phil Jay. Study extra, learn all articles from the skilled boxing author, and observe on Twitter @PhilJWBN.
