Andy Ruiz Heeds Advice from Mike Tyson
Unified heavyweight champion Andy “Destroyer” Ruiz (33-1, 22ko) is still basking in the glory of becoming the first Mexican heavyweight champion. Since defeating Anthony Joshua back in June 2019, things have changed at a rapid pace.
Now, things are settling down and there is business that needs attending for the upcoming rematch. The unified champion is in fight mode, ready to prove the first victory wasn’t a fluke. Joshua, the British former world champion, will play at the contrary on December 7 in Saudi Arabia.
During a public press conference, Ruiz expressed some advice that he received from former undisputed champion “Iron” Mike Tyson.
“To be careful outside of the ring, inside of the ring. He says I’m doing good and all, that just be careful outside of the ring.”
“Watch the people you hang out with, be humble and to take this serious.”
Tyson is a testament as to why this type of advice should be taken extremely serious. For years during his reign, there were several bad elements surrounding the young champion outside the ring that affected his in-ring performance.
Even leading up to that fateful historic day February 11, 1990 the young brawler from Catskill, New York wasn’t taking then-challenger James “Buster” Douglass seriously.
It’s a pattern in the sport once fighters start receiving a certain amount of praise and attention that they never had before. It starts a domino-effect of situations, leading to a downward spiral that feels like quicksand.
Several fighters have fallen victim to this, even the earlier mentioned Douglass wasn’t the same after defeating Tyson. Then, there was former world champions Charles Martin and Tyson Fury. Both had mental breakdown issues that lead to bizarre behavior.
It’s worth noting both men have since got things back on track; especially the man that calls himself the Gypsy King.
However, it appears that Team Ruiz is doing all the right things and taking training very seriously. They are well aware the importance of the task at hand.
By: Garrisson Bland
