ANTHONY JOSHUA'S trainer Angel Fernandez believes the boxer trimming down was key to his revenge win against Andy Ruiz Jr.
Back on December 7 out in Saudi Arabia the Brit secured an easy points win against a man who had previously floored him four times on the way to a KO win.
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It meant Joshua regained back his heavyweight world titles and once his mandatory fights are out the way he could fight Deontay Wilder and/or Tyson Fury.
Despite the manner of victory AJ was slammed in some quarter for his "hit and don't get hit" tactics.
Some boxing fans even labelled him "a ballerina" in the aftermath of his one-sided success.
And Fernandez is shocked that his man was criticised despite become a two-time heavyweight champion.
Asked whether losing muscle mass contributed to the victory, Fernandez told World Boxing News:Big time. Hes just a person who learns very quick.
We couldnt go and engage with Ruiz because hes got very fast hands.
"Some people just try to take the credit away from Joshua but if you just watch the first fight and then the second fight, Joshua didnt allow Ruiz to do what he did to him in the first fight.
He took those strengths away from him.
Now that the celebrating is coming to a close, Joshua is already thinking about his own fight prep.
SunSport reported that he had offered to spar with fellow Brit Tyson Fury to help him prepare for his own rematch - against Wilder on February 22.
The Gypsy King posted on social media welcoming the offer, saying that he'd "love" to train with AJ.
But Fury's promoter Frank Warren isn't so keen, and now claims Joshua is "backing out" of the chance.
Speaking toThe MetroWarren said: "Thats all nonsense. Joshua is already backing out of the offer.
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"Hes said he cant believe he said it and weve all had those moments. Who cares about them sparring each other? We want to see them fight.
"This sparring session will never happen. Whats the point of it? Its about them in the ring together being watched by paying punters, not in the gym."
The two boxers have sparred together previously - Fury admitting Joshua "gave him a beating" back in 2010.
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Anthony Joshuas trainer reveals weight loss was key to Andy Ruiz Jr win and slams critics for downplaying p - The Sun
