Ruiz relished battle with AJ, insists Haye

DAVID HAYE believes that Anthony Joshua was not battlehardened enough to protect his world heavyweight titles against the brutal onslaught from Andy Ruiz Jr which produced one of the biggest upsets of modern times.

The inference from another former champion is that Joshua is a more impressive gym specimen than seasoned warrior.

That seems harsh on an Olympic gold medallist and multi-belt world champion but Haye, a spectator at ringside here for Tyson Fury’s latest comeback fight against Germany’s Tom Schwarz, said: ‘Physically, you can’t question AJ. In a deadlift competition he’ll beat you. But how about the boxing? How about punch for punch. How about toe to toe?

‘Ruiz appeared more hardened in the battle zone. Joshua looked uncomfortable. The only way to become truly comfortable in the battle zone is to go through discomfort in the training zone.’

Haye questions the ferocity of Joshua’s Florida training camp for the Ruiz fight, saying: ‘When I was in Miami, I used to go on my own to the gym and spar with anybody. Street fighters. That didn’t look to be the case with Joshua. My sparring partners were allowed to try and knock me out, if they could. That made it real. I don’t think that was the case with AJ.’

HANNAH RANKIN won the vacant IBO super-welterweight title last night as she beat American fighter Sarah Curran unanimously on points in Paisley to become Scotland’s first-ever female boxing world champion.

Meanwhile, Josh Warrington successfully defended his IBF world title against Yorkshire rival Kid Galahad on a split decision.