Andy Ruiz knows what it is like to share the ring with Joseph Parker.
The two men met for the vacant WBO heavyweight title in December 2016, with Parker claiming a close majority decision victory to win the belt and hand Ruiz his first professional defeat.
Since that bout, Ruiz went on to become unified heavyweight champion when he defeated Anthony Joshua in an upset victory in June 2019, but he lost the belt in their immediate rematch six months later.
Ruiz is hoping to once again reach those heights, and has cast his eye over the current heavyweight landscape, including one very important fight taking place this weekend.
His former foe Parker faces Martin Bakole in Saudi Arabia, after Bakole stepped up on short notice to replace IBF heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois, who was forced out of the fight on Thursday with illness.
Parker heads into the fight after impressive wins over Deontay Wilder and Zhilei Zhang, while Bakole’s standout victory came last time out when he knocked out previously unbeaten Jared Anderson.
With the fight fast approaching, Ruiz has told DAZN Boxing how he expects the contest to play out.
“I think Parker could win this if he sticks and moves and goes to the body early and be smart against him.
“Bakole is strong but I think he is easy to counter. In this game you never know, anything can happen in that ring, a broken hand or rib but we just need that willpower to keep going.”
Ruiz then finished by making it clear what his plans are.
“I can’t wait until I fight them.”
While Ruiz knows Parker well, one name who knows Bakole well is Michael Hunter. He is the only man to defeat the Congo fighter, and has offered his prediction for tonight’s match-up.
