Andy Ruiz Jr hits back at critics of his selection to fight Anthony Joshua

One man’s loss is another man’s gain. When Jarrell Miller was found to have failed drug tests for a trio of substances, his schedule shot at unified world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua was rightly scuppered. With just six weeks to go until Joshua’s American debut in New York on June 1, and many of the world’s top heavyweights otherwise engaged, several names were mooted as Miller’s replacement. It seemed initially as if Michael Hunter were the favourite to fill Miller’s boxing boots, and Joshua promoter Eddie Hearn also claims that Cuban Luis Ortiz rejected two big-money offers. But earlier this week, now with only five weeks remaining until the big night, chubby but talented American Andy Ruiz Jnr stepped unto the breach and he has already come out fighting - against critics of the match on Twitter.

Responding to a ’fan’ who quipped, "Just a pay day for you, don’t need to train," Ruiz Jr hit back, "To you it’s a payday to me it’s a part of my legacy and story."

The 29-year-old Californian, trained by Manny Robles, bagged a good win over Alexander Dimitrenko in April so arrives at the biggest fight of his life in good form. His only defeat came in a WBO title challenge to then-champion Joseph Parker in December 2016 and that was contentious. Ruiz Jr has fast hands and is an intelligent mover and boxer, but has faced criticism throughout his career due to unfashionable asthetics - he is a flabby man, regularly weighing over 250lbs despite standing just 6ft 2ins tall. That said, Ruiz Jr managed the 12-round distance against Parker with no major issues, so his stamina is fine and any complaints about his selection seem largely superficial.

Responding to a Twitter user who was defending him against the barrage of abuse, Ruiz Jr said, "Since no other heavyweight wanted to take the fight was I supposed to not believe in myself?? This fight is for all my underdogs who are always counted out all my fat boys who are never given a chance overlooked simply for their weight."

It’s that kind of attitude that will have many people in the corner of the short-notice underdog on June 1.