Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz rematch: Champion has traded junk food for 'fish and pasta' in bid for leaner frame

The heavyweight champion is looking to maximise his speed advantage ahead of the pair’s rematch in Saudi Arabia

Andy Ruiz‘s trainer insists the heavyweight champion has cut out junk food and is eating a diet of “fish and pasta” in a bid to slim down ahead of his rematch with Anthony Joshua.

Ruiz knocked out Joshua in the seventh round of their first encounter back in June in Madison Square Garden, despite taking the fight on short notice, and hopes to be in better condition when the pair reacquaint themselves in Saudi Arabia next month.

Speaking ahead of their rematch, Ruiz’s personal nutritionist told Sky Sports: “Andy’s weight is coming down. He’s working really hard in the gym which is a factor.

“His diet? Fish, salmon, pasta on sparring days. Once in a while we have had a cheat day but nothing too crazy, man.

“The goal is to keep him eating clean, keep him eating healthily. Feeling light is what we’re going for. We want to keep him light.

“We’re not targeting a specific weight – maybe the same weight or a little bit less. But we want to feel light so it’s easier for him to move on his feet.”

Ruiz weighed in at 19st 11lbs for the pair’s first bout – a stone-and-a-half heavier – however, he still boasted significantly quicker handspeed and footwork than the Brit, and he’s determined to maximise that advantage second time around.

“I kind of wanted to be a little heavier because Anthony Joshua’s big, I wanted to carry his weight, take the punches well but I think being 10lbs lighter, I’m going to be a better fighter,” Ruiz said recently.

Andy Ruiz Jr appears to have slimmed down ahead of his rematch with Anthony Joshua (Instagram/andy_destroyer13)

“I’m going to be faster, let my hands go and be faster on my feet as well.

“Ten pounds isn’t going to make any difference, if anything it’s going to make me stronger, it’s going to make me faster, especially because he’s going to be running around.

“I think he’s going to be trying to win by points and my job is to cut the ring and do what we got to do and let my hands go, it’s exactly what we been training on in the gym.”