AJ vs Usyk can go either way - Ruiz

Former unified WBO champion, Andy Ruiz Jr believes next month's rematch bout between Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk can swing either way.

AJ lost by unanimous decision to Usyk at the Tottenham Hotspurs Stadium last September, losing his WBA, IBF, and WBO belts to the Ukrainian.

Ruiz handed AJ his first career defeat back in 2019 in a famous knockout to become the first Mexican heavyweight champion.

Joshua later reclaims his lost belts after defeating the Mexican in their rematch in a fight the Mexican admitted he wasn't well prepared.

Ruiz believes Usyk can defeat Joshua for a second time but admits the bout is too close to call as either fighter can emerge the victor.

“If Usyk doesn’t do the same thing I did (he can win), I’m sure he won’t because he’s been on top of the game in cruiserweight and undisputed in cruiserweight,” Ruiz told @idboxingnews as quoted by PUNCH Sports Extra.

“I think it could go either way. I know Anthony Joshua has a new trainer in Robert Garcia, he’s over there trying to show him the Mexican style to be aggressive, throw a lot of punches, to be first, to come at him.

“But Usyk is an awkward fighter, he’s an awkward lefty fighter, it’s why we picked a lefty as well in case we have to go through Usyk.”

The rematch is billed for August 20 at Jeddah Super Dome in Saudi Arabia.

WDN