Anthony Joshua is ‘the best heavyweight in the world’ after victory over Andy Ruiz, says Tony Bellew

Tony Bellew believes Anthony Joshua is ‘the best
heavyweight in the world’ after his unanimous points victory
over Andy Ruiz.

Joshua suffered one of the biggest upsets in boxing history
at the hands of Ruiz six months ago, but proved his class
with a measured display at Saudi Arabia’s Diriyah Arena to
reclaim the WBA Super, IBF, IBO and WBO titles.

The 30-year-old wore Ruiz down with a series of smart jabs
and managed to keep his opponent at his distance for the
majority of the bout to exact his revenge.

Ruiz posed very little danger to Joshua’s defence and the
Brit’s triumph saw him join a small group of fighters –
Muhammad Ali, Lennox Lewis, Evander Holyfield, Mike Tyson
and Floyd Patterson – to have successfully reclaimed the
world heavyweight title.

Speaking immediately after fight with iFL TV , Bellew praised
Joshua’s maturity and hailed his close friend as the greatest
heavyweight on the planet.
‘He’s got a different mentality now. A loss makes some
people,’ Bellew said.

‘He’s experienced everything boxing can throw at you now.
He’s been a champion, he’s been a challenger, he’s defeated
the man who defeated him.

‘I can’t think of another scenario I can put him in that he
hasn’t experienced now. And he’s experienced all of this in
23-24 fights!
‘I’m gonna say it now… he’s the best heavyweight in the
world again. He’s the best heavyweight in the world again.

‘I don’t care what anyone says and they’re going to say it. I
don’t give a s***! He’s the best heavyweight in the world
again.
‘Do you know why I say that? Because he’s shown a whole
different dimension to his game.

‘He’s mentally matured to another level. If this boy goes in
the ring with anyone, he’s shown that.’
Eddie Hearn applauded Joshua’s tactical ‘masterclass’
against Ruiz and argued that the heavyweight’s comeback
story made him the perfect ‘role model for our country’.

‘Madison Square Garden was a humiliation, he went down
four times – people wrote him off, said he had no heart, he
quit,’ he said.

‘He went back, brushed himself down and went back to work
to prove you all wrong. It was an absolute masterclass, a
shutout, a way of boxing people didn’t believe he could do.

‘He taught himself to box like that – the discipline was
incredible. All the things no-one thought he possessed.
That’s because he’s getting better.

‘What heavyweight has a resume like him? Give him respect;
he has changed the face of boxing. A great individual with a
big heart.

‘I have represented Anthony since he turned pro. He is a very
close friend of mine. The strength he has shown is
unbelievable.
‘When was the last time we had a role model like this? We
should be so proud.
‘An absolute role model for our country.’