Andy Ruiz Jr urges ‘great warrior’ Anthony Joshua to go on sabbatical if he beats him in world title rematch – The Sun

ANTHONY JOSHUA should take a sabbatical from boxing if he loses to Andy Ruiz Jr again – his opponent has recommended.

Set to duel in December after the Mexican-American claimed a shock victory in their first bout, the onus is once again on Joshua to win the three world title belts on offer.

But Ruiz Jr is convinced he can double down on his New York upset, advising AJ to take an extended holiday to clear his head in that event.

"I think he should take a little break if I beat him," Ruiz Jr told Sky Sports.

"Let him recuperate, but one or two losses are not going to make a difference.

"He's still a warrior, he's still a great fighter, and I'm sure he'll bounce back."

However, Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn has suggested that the Brit could even retire if he downs Ruiz Jr in Saudi Arabia.

That would mean snubbing an encounter with Tyson Fury or Deontay Wilder, the latter potentially set up as a huge unification contest.

Hearn said last week: "If AJ was to win, who knows what he’s going to do, he might retire, who knows."

But WBC champ Wilder is not the best fighter in the heavyweight division today, according to Joshua, who rates Ruiz Jr higher.

"It means a lot," The Destroyer said in reply. "He said that because I defeated him.

"He was the greatest heavyweight champion of the world.

"He had all the belts and now I do, so it's a big blessing to be in this position."

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