Statistics that prove why Anthony Joshua easily defeated Andy Ruiz Jr this time around

There seemed to be a new and rejuvenated Anthony Joshua on Saturday night with a lean physique and an all new fight plan to defeat Andy Ruiz Jr.

He claimed in the build-up to the fight that he would be adding to the team around him during his training camp and vowed to stick with career-long head trainer Rob McCracken – with whom Joshua was able to rise to prominence and become the world heavyweight champion.

So, what was different this time around?

AJ was successful in earning back the IBF, WBA and WBO title belts – the main difference between the much anticipated rematch and the first fight was the style in which Joshua decided to box with in order to beat Ruiz Jr.

The first fight saw Joshua nearly a stone heavier and a sense that Ruiz Jr was merely a stepping stone, and it could maybe forgiven to speculate that the Mexican was overlooked and underestimated by AJ first time round as he looked to put him away early with evidently reckless shots, which ultimately led to a third-round concussion of which he never fully recovered from.

If we’re measuring statistics from the rematch, it must be noted that more than 60% of Joshua’s punches were jabs – a complete U-turn from the first fight in which he felt power over jab was the key.

Anthony Joshua stands at 6-foot, 6-inches tall with a lethal 82-inch reach – towering over Ruiz Jr by around four inches.

Ruiz Jr used his awkward size differentials to his advantage in the first bout and wouldn’t allow AJ to do any final damage; instead he lured the Brit in close where he was able to pounce and hurt Joshua early on.

With a new fight-plan in mind; Joshua showcased the sweet science of boxing by keeping his distance, sticking and jabbing – looking to pick Ruiz Jr off slowly and much more calculated than before. GiveMeSport