The heavyweight division has just been reignited by a familiar face. In a series of explosive "exclusive" comments as of Friday, April 10, 2026, former unified champion Andy Ruiz Jr. has officially called for a trilogy fight with Anthony Joshua, making the bold claim that his 2019 rematch loss in Saudi Arabia only happened because he "let" it happen.
Ruiz, who has been largely "chilling under a rock" while other heavyweights trade losses, believes the time is perfect for the two rivals to return from their respective hiatuses and settle the greatest modern heavyweight rivalry once and for all.
The Bold Claim: "He Only Beat Me Because I Let Him"
It has been nearly seven years since Ruiz shocked the world at Madison Square Garden, and over six years since Joshua reclaimed his belts in the "Clash of the Dunes." For Ruiz, the memory of that second fight remains a point of personal frustration rather than athletic inferiority.
"I think there has to be a trilogy with AJ," Ruiz stated. "I beat him. He only beat me because I let him. I let him hit me in the second fight because I was an idiot; I should have taken that fight more seriously."
Ruiz admitted that his post-championship lifestyle—consisting of three months of partying—was the true opponent that night in Riyadh.
The Current Landscape: Two Giants on a Hiatus
The call for a trilogy comes at a fascinating time for both fighters' careers in 2026:
Anthony Joshua: AJ has been out of the spotlight following his brutal sixth-round knockout of Jake Paul in December 2025.
While fans have been clamoring for a "Battle of Britain" with Tyson Fury, negotiations for that 2026 clash have stalled following Joshua's recent personal recovery and training delays. Andy Ruiz Jr.: Ruiz has fought sparingly, with his last notable outing being a draw against Jarrell Miller.
However, he claims to be "fresh" and ready to take on the new generation, even name-dropping the 21-year-old sensation Moses Itauma as a potential target if the Joshua fight doesn't materialize.
Tale of the Tape: The Potential Trilogy
| Statistic | Andy Ruiz Jr. | Anthony Joshua |
| Age | 36 | 36 |
| Last Result | Draw (vs. Jarrell Miller) | KO Win (vs. Jake Paul) |
| H2H Record | 1 Win (KO) | 1 Win (UD) |
| Current Status | Looking for promoter (Zuffa?) | Rehabilitating/Light Training |
Moving Toward Zuffa Boxing?
In addition to the trilogy call-out, Ruiz teased a potential move to Zuffa Boxing.
Ruiz even joked about a potential curtain-raiser: "How about Eddie Hearn and Dana White fight, too? I'd be there to watch that."
The Verdict: Is the Trilogy Real?
With Tyson Fury scheduled to face Arslanbek Makhmudov at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this month, and Oleksandr Usyk waiting in the wings, a Joshua vs.