In June, Andy Ruiz Jr shocked the world by stopping Anthony Joshua in round seven of their bout at Madison Square Garden and taking his IBF, IBO, WBA (super) and WBO world heavyweight titles in the process.
The Mexican-American was doubted by casual boxing fans from the start, largely due to his body condition in the face of the Adonis-like AJ.
However, he dropped the Brit four times during their contest and now heads into a huge payday in Saudi Arabia where the two will rematch on December 7.
Ruiz has enjoyed his place at the summit of the heavyweight division and one of the first things he did was buy a mansion for his family.
If the recent pictures from Saudi Arabia are anything to go by, though, he’s been enjoying himself a bit, too.
Of course, Ruiz Jr is out of camp at the moment and there’s still a good three months before the fight for him to become the Mexican AJ as he told American talk show host, Jimmy Kimmel, he wanted to be.
“Obviously your physique is what got a lot of people interested in you,” Kimmel said. “What is the plan for the rematch? Do you lose weight? Do you stay right here? What do you do?
Deontay Wilder says Anthony Joshua quit in his big fight with Andy Ruiz Jr.
Ruiz Jr said: “The main thing is to stay busy and to stay active. I want to get in better shape. I want to look like a Mexican AJ. Get those muscles in too.
“I will just stay healthy and watch the food and all that.”
In August, Joshua showed off a much slimmer version of himself, though Ruiz may be conscious of the fact he doesn’t want to stray too far from the blueprint that won him the belts in the first place.
The pair are currently in New York on the second leg of their three cities in three days media tour. Saudi Arabia was on Wednesday and London will be on Friday.
