Former world heavyweight champion Andy Ruiz Jr has revealed what Anthony Joshua DM'd him after the pair's rematch fight in 2019.
The Mexican shocked the world when he knocked 'AJ' out at Madison Square Garden, but just six months later in the rematch, the result was very different.
Joshua fought cautiously to defeat Ruiz on points, thereby reclaiming the WBA, WBO, IBF and IBO belts that he lost in June of 2019.
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Now, however, the man from Calfornia has revealed the extent of his interaction with his former rival on Instagram, which makes for intriguing reading, to say the least.
"There were a few messages," Ruiz confessed to the Mail.
"We were just saying that I'd bounce back, that I'm a great fighter. I have nothing but love for him. I don't have no grudges."
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Unsurprisingly, Joshua was nothing but supportive in retrospect, with the two fighters clearly maintaining a healthy amount of respect for one another.
Ruiz recently admitted to battling depression in the aftermath of his points defeat to Joshua.
According to the man himself, he ballooned up to 320 pounds at one point, but has since emphasised how hard he has worked to get back into career-best shape.
The 32-year-old returned to action back in May, coming through a tough test against the aforementioned Arreola, a veteran of the lightweight division - and former world champion.
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Nevertheless, with Ruiz now being trained by Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez's coach, Eddy Reynoso, the best could be yet to come for the affable boxer.
Ruiz claimed on his YouTube channel: "All this hard work and dedication is gonna pay off man."
"I'm tired man, you see me do all those f***ing drills man? But, like I said, all this hard work and dedication is gonna pay off.
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"Everyone's gonna see the difference. Everyone's gonna see my hard work, that's what it's all about.
"I'm ready for my next fight. I'm ready, excited, ready to prove everybody wrong."
Joshua, meanwhile, is preparing to defend his world title belts on Saturday evening, where he will face off against Pound4Pound king Oleksandr Uysk at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Featured Image Credit:Topics: Andy Ruiz Jr, Anthony Joshua, Eddie Hearn