Arum: “That Was Not Joshua…Ruiz is Not Competitive With Joshua!”

Bob Arum shows antipathy towards former Top Rank fighter Andy Ruiz Jr.

While sitting down with Kugan Cassius, from IFL TV, Arum was questioned about the recent success of Andy “Destroyer” Ruiz Jr (34-1, 23 KO’s).

Cassius asked Arum his opinion since up until earlier this year, Ruiz was a Top Rank fighter.

“The guy in the ring was not Joshua, it was not Joshua. He was a different fighter.

“You know, you can sugar coat it any way you want, but I’m telling you that, Andy Ruiz is not competitive with Joshua.”

In response, Arum supplied a quizzical answer. On one hand, he discredited the victory by stating AJ was not himself but rather an “imposter.”

This would lead one to believe the 87 year-old promoter believed that Joshua is the superior boxer, yet lost anyhow. However, in the same breath, Arum stated that if Ruiz and Joshua were to fight again then the same result would occur.

This was confusing. The Top Rank founder appeared to be saying in a backwards way that Ruiz was the better fighter. He just simply will not come out and say it.

Many believe this is just a classic example of Arum throwing shade on one of his former fighters. Ruiz is far from the first former Top Rank pugilist that Bob Arum has denigrated after their departure from his company.

Mikey Garcia, Oscar De La Hoya, Miguel Cotto and, most notably, Floyd Mayweather Jr were all once Top Rank fighters who left to find greener pastures. Arum has had less than flattering things to say about most, if not, all these boxers once they left.

Following this pattern, it’s only logical and consistent that Arum throw a little dirt on Ruiz’s name and accomplishments. It’s really just par for the course.

Cassius:

“What happens in a rematch?”

Arum:

“The same thing that happened at the Garden. The stupidest thing they can do, is to put Joshua back in with Andy Ruiz, ‘cause fighters memories and so forth.

“And based on what I know about the sport, you’re going to get the same result. This was different, this was a guy that got knocked down four times by Andy Ruiz who hasn’t the ability to knock down ham and eggs guys.”

By: Bakari Simpson

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