Sherdog Boxing: The Weekly Wrap

Andy Ruiz Officially Steps in to Fight Anthony Joshua

The search is over, and it will be Andy Ruiz fighting Anthony Joshua June 1 at Madison Square Garden. While Jarrell “Big Baby” Miller may have been the more interesting matchup if for no reason other than his NYC connection, Ruiz may give Joshua the better fight. Ruiz’s sole loss was a 2016 decision to Joseph Parker, who remains the only person to go 12 rounds with Joshua as a professional. If Ruiz didn’t have such a soft and doughy physique, he would likely be considered both more marketable as a Mexican boxer and more of a threat to the rest of the heavyweight division.

While oddsmakers had Joshua-Miller as a closer fight than Joshua-Andy, Ruiz’s boxing ability would seem to have a better chance of knocking off Joshua than Miller’s combination punching would of overpowering him. We’ll see what happens.

When Wilder and Fury were fighting each other, Joshua was considered the protected heavyweight in the division. Now, with Tyson Fury is facing Tom Schwarz next and Deontay Wilder fighting Dominic Breazale, of the three big heavyweights, Joshua is the one facing the toughest opponent.

Jermell Charlo Looks to Avenge Controversial Loss to Tony Harrison on June 23

After losing his WBC light middleweight title in a highly questionable decision to Tony Harrison last December, Jermell (remember: Jermell took the L) Charlo is getting an immediate rematch in June. This week it was announced that Charlo and Harrison will be facing off on June 23 in Las Vegas, on a PBC on Fox card.

Although unconfirmed, rumors have Jermell’s brother Jermall -- remember, Jermall won ‘em all -- Charlo fighting Brandon Adams less than a week later, on June 29 in Houston. While the decision in the first fight was terrible, it is probably a smart idea not to put the two brothers on the same card again.

The undercard will see Guillermo Rigondeaux face off against Julio Ceja. Ceja is 32-3 with 28 knockouts but lost his last fight to Franklin Manzanilla. By the time the fight happens, Rigondeaux will be 39 years old while Ceja will have been out of the ring for over a year. That, combined with the pure boxer-puncher stylistic matchup of the fight, mean that while Rigondeaux will be a heavy favorite, this one could get interesting -- or as interesting as a Rigondeaux fight can be.

Fazliddin ‘Fayzi’ Gaibnazarov to Fight Mykal Fox on Navarrete-Dogboe Rematch Card

Gaibnazarov, a 2016 Uzbekistani Olympic gold medalist appears to be the latest hugely successful amateur attempting the Vasiliy Lomachenko fast-track to professional success. Just seven fights into his pro career, Gaibnazarov will be fighting the 19-1 Mykal Fox on the May 11 ESPN card, headlined by the rematch between Isaac Dogboe and Emanuel Navarrete.

This fight is interesting for a few reasons. One, there’s question of whether Gaibnazarov is ready for this level of matchup so early in his professional career. Two, Fox is jumping right back into another tough matchup after losing his last fight to Shohjahon Ergashev, which may be a risky move. And three, Fox will hold an astounding nine-inch height advantage going into the fight.

Outside of heavyweight, it’s hard to remember a time when a fighter was at a nine-inch height disadvantage. If nothing else, that alone would make the fight something to see.

‘GGG’ Now wants to be Known as Gennadiy

After abandoning Abel Sanchez a few weeks ago, this week “GGG” announced another major change in his life. From now on, Golovkin would like to be known as Gennadiy, not Gennady as the “I” spelling is how it is written on his birth certificate. It’s an odd announcement to make 13 years into his professional career, and a great way to ensure people to call you “GGG” forever.

Joseph Diaz Jr. Goes on Confrontation Spree at Canelo-Jacobs Events

Joseph Diaz Jr., the 26-year-old Californian featherweight whose only loss was a May 2018 decision to Gary Russell Jr., went on a confrontation spree this week during various Canelo-Jacobs events. First, he shoved Freddy Fonseca at a face off when Fonseca bumped his chin with his fist. Then he got into a confrontation with Tevin Farmer. After the confrontation, Farmer intimated that he wouldn’t give Diaz a title shot out of principle.

Heading into Saturday’s fight, Diaz must have a lot of pent up aggression. Hopefully he channels it at the guy he’s fighting, not the guy he’s trying to get into the ring.

Adonis Stevenson Walking and Talking

Good news from the Adonis Stevenson front. After being taken out of his medically induced coma and undergoing surgery to replace the skull fragment they removed to ease pressure, Stevenson has now progressed to the point that he is reportedly holding regular conversations and walking on his own. Considering what the prognosis was immediately after Stevenson’s fight last December, that is remarkable progress.

Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. Making Comeback, Claims he Wil be ‘Serious’ This Time

And finally, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. is planning to comeback to boxing, and said in part, “I'll have another chance, but I have to take things seriously, there can be no more carelessness, I'm no longer a young man where I can do things that I should not do. I have faith that if I come back strong I will soon get a big fight.”

Later he added, “If I train well, I think I have everything to be a world champion again, it's all about disciplining myself, taking things seriously and that's what I'm doing now.”

Chavez Jr. will never get a big fight again, because nobody would buy it after seeing how he performed against Canelo Alvarez. His insistence on trying to be considered a world-class fighter, despite not having the discipline or heart to become one is getting kind of sad. Never sad enough to make Chavez Sr. fuming while his kid is high eating cereal in a pink speedo in the middle of training camp not funny, though.