Andy Ruiz admits that he should have prepared better for Anthony Joshua.

Andy Ruiz came with the intention to shock the boxing world a second time in a rematch with Anthony Joshua. It appeared Ruiz had Joshua’s number when he knocked him down four times at Madison Square Garden in June to become the new unified heavyweight champion.

But on this night at the Diriyah Arena in Saudi Arabia, the defending champion was a different fighter; just as was the challenger. It was Joshua (23-1, 21KOs) who redeemed himself and recaptured his titles by making the changes that worked for him. Ruiz (33-2, 22KOs) on the other hand, made some changes that worked against him.

“If I let my hands go just like I did on June 1st, I think I would’ve won this fight,” said Ruiz. “And like I said, I should’ve trained harder; I should’ve listened to my coaches more. Maybe I shouldn’t have put on all this weight that I did, and I would’ve been faster; and I would’ve thrown more.”

The former unified heavyweight champion came into the rematch weighing 283.7 pounds, nearly 16 pounds heavier than the 268 pounds he weighed on the night he became the first heavyweight champion of Mexican descent in history. It showed as Ruiz’s movement was slower, while also lacking the same attack and fast hands that made him dangerous in the first fight.

The weight gain wasn’t the only factor working against “The Destroyer” in the ring. Fresh off a career-defining victory, a seven-figure paycheck, and making history; maybe Ruiz got too caught up in the moment.

“I think we started too late,” said Ruiz, regarding his training camp. “I don’t wanna say the three months of partying I had, celebrating, and what not kind of affected me. Cause to tell you the truth, it kind of did. But what can I say, just learn this mistake.”

Ruiz spent most of the fight pressing forward, but never managed to find his comfort zone on the inside; or land significant combinations. He landed several hooks in rounds four and eight, but Joshua used his movement to stay on the outside and get away from further danger. After outboxing and outclassing Ruiz behind the jab for 12 rounds, “AJ” earned the unanimous decision victory.

“I think being overweight got the best of me,” said Ruiz. “I thought it was going to be a better thing for me. I thought I was going to be stronger. I think being lighter, I’m gonna let my hands go more; and I’ma be a completely different fighter. But I think he did a good job.”