Andy Ruiz Jr has posted a picture alongside sparring partner Michael Hunter – and he looks a slimmed-down version of the fighter who beat Anthony Joshua.
Ruiz accepted the challenged against Joshua at six weeks’ notice in June before stunning the champion by knocking him down four times before stopping him in the seventh round.
The Mexican-American had come in for criticism before the fight due to his chubby appearance and love of junk food.
But having defied the odds in New York, he appears to have lost a considerable amount of weight before he faces Joshua again in Saudi Arabia on December 7.
(Image: Twitter/Michael Hunter)
Hunter, who will take on Russian dangerman Alexander Povetkin on the undercard, posted a picture of himself sitting next to Ruiz on the ring apron following a sparring session.
Of his fight against Povetkin, Hunter said: “This is a very exciting opportunity for me, and I have got to prove myself once again.
“Whether you’re the underdog or the favourite it’s all the same because I feel like I am the best fighter out there!
“I look at this fight with Povetkin as my ‘gold medal’ fight. I was in the Olympics and so was he, he won the gold medal and I didn’t so this is basically my gold medal fight right here. I am always pushing for the KO!
(Image: Getty Images)
“I thrive on making guys quit so I’m definitely going to push for it. I am a boxer first though and I’m certainly going to be boxing his shoes off! If I see any quit in him then I am going to take advantage of that.
Earlier, Ruiz revealed details of his face-to-face conversation with Joshua during their recent press tour.
He said: “No, I don’t plan on killing nobody, God wouldn’t want that, but I’m sure he wants me to win and prove everyone wrong.
“Everybody still doubts me, saying it was God’s lucky punch but I told Joshua in his face that it was a punch from God because I’ve been praying and wishing for this opportunity my whole life and I took advantage of it.”
