Ruiz to Jake: “Beat AJ? Here’s How!”

You know, there are some fights that just sort of live rent-free in your head. For me, Andy Ruiz Jr. versus Anthony Joshua 1 is definitely one of them. Talk about a seismic shock in the heavyweight division. Nobody- and I mean nobody -saw that coming. Ruiz, the guy who looked like he’d just rolled off the couch, goes in there and absolutely dismantles the chiselled Olympian, Anthony Joshua. It was wild. Seriously, one of those “where were you when…?” moments for boxing fans.

So, when I heard that same Andy “The Destroyer” Ruiz Jr. – the man who pulled off one of modern boxing’s biggest upsets – was dishing out advice to Jake Paul on how to beat AJ, well, my ears perked up. Because if anyone knows how to pull an AJ rabbit out of a hat, it’s this guy. And let’s be real, the idea of Jake Paul in the ring with Anthony Joshua is still pretty surreal, even in boxing’s current wild west landscape. But hey, stranger things have happened, right? Like Ruiz-Joshua 1, for starters.

“The Destroyer” Drops Some Hard-Hitting Truths

Ruiz didn’t mince words, which, honestly, is refreshing. He basically said, look, if Jake wants to beat AJ, he’s gotta be unconventional. He can’t go in there trying to out-box a former two-time unified world heavyweight champion. That’s just a recipe for disaster. It’s like trying to beat Michael Jordan at basketball in his prime, playing his game. Not gonna happen, buddy.

Go for the Body, Early and Often

This is where Ruiz really leans into his own experience. He talks about how Joshua tends to get tired- and he’s right, AJ has had issues with stamina in longer fights, especially when pressured. So, what’s the play? Body shots. Relentless, punishing body shots.

• Point: Ruiz specifically mentioned AJ’s gas tank. He told TMZ, “Go to the body. You gotta hit him in the body so he doesn’t use his power.”
• Insight: This is a classic tactic, but it’s especially effective against taller, muscular fighters who rely on explosive power. They burn through energy faster, and body shots drain that tank even quicker. Plus, it brings down their guard for head shots later.

Now, you might think, “Jake Paul? Body shots?” But that’s kind of the genius of it. It’s not about being the more skilled boxer, it’s about being the smarter one. It’s about exploiting a known weakness. Jake’s got that overhand right, sure, but he’d need to set it up. And nothing sets up a big power shot like a few rounds of gut-punches. It’s a grind. A dirty, effective grind.

Don’t Be Afraid to Get Dirty – Literally

Here’s where it gets interesting, and a little bit controversial. Ruiz, almost with a twinkle in his eye, suggested Jake should “kind of run into him” and “be physical.” What he’s really saying is, make it ugly. Don’t give Joshua space to breathe, to wind up those powerful shots. Smother him. Lean on him. Wear him down. Get in his chest.

• Point: Ruiz said Jake needs to “be physical” and “grab him sometimes.” This isn’t about fair play, it’s about winning.
• Insight: This is the dark art of boxing, you know? The stuff that doesn’t look pretty but wins fights. It disrupts rhythm, saps strength, and frankly, it’s annoying for the opponent. Joshua, as imposing as he looks, sometimes struggles when things get messy and he can’t dictate the pace from the outside.

It’s basically a blueprint for an absolute dogfight, not a boxing masterclass. And for Jake Paul, currently campaigning at cruiserweight, stepping up to heavyweight to fight AJ, that’s probably his best- and maybe only- shot. He’s not going to out-skill AJ. He needs to out-grit him, out-muscle him in the clinches, and make every single second of the fight feel like a wrestling match in a phone booth.

“You gotta hit him in the body so he doesn’t use his power. And, you know, be physical with him. Grab him sometimes and kind of run into him too. So he doesn’t land all his big shots.” – Andy Ruiz Jr. to Jake Paul, explaining how to beat Anthony Joshua.

The Psychological Game: A Different Kind of Skill

Beyond the technical advice, there’s an underlying psychological aspect to what Ruiz is saying. He’s hinting at the need to get inside Joshua’s head, to make him uncomfortable. Ruiz did that so effectively in their first fight. Joshua looked, dare I say, slightly flustered. Like he just couldn’t believe what was happening.

Can Jake Paul Really Do It? (And the bigger question, should he?)

Look, let’s be totally honest. The odds of Jake Paul beating Anthony Joshua in a straight-up boxing match are astronomically low. We’re talking lottery-ticket-win low. AJ is a massive, powerful, skilled heavyweight. Jake is… well, he’s Jake Paul. He’s shown progress, sure. He’s got power. He’s improved. But this is a whole different beast. Ruiz’s advice is a roadmap to an upset, not a guaranteed win.

• Point: Ruiz’s advice hinges on exploiting AJ’s perceived weaknesses – stamina, discomfort with infighting.
• Insight: For Jake, it’s not about being better, but about being different and extremely tough. Can he take those shots needed to get inside? Can he sustain that kind of relentless pressure for twelve rounds? That’s the real question.

And let’s not forget the weight difference. Jake would be giving up a significant amount of size and reach. Carrying that extra muscle for a heavyweight bout would be a whole different challenge for him. It’s not just about hitting, it’s about not getting hit- and somehow, still being able to stand tall by the later rounds.

The Takeaway: A Madcap Strategy for a Madcap Fight

So, what does this all mean? Ruiz’s advice isn’t just about boxing strategy; it’s about understanding the psychology of an underdog. It’s about knowing your opponent’s vulnerabilities and having the guts to go for them, even if it means sacrificing your own picture-perfect technique. For Jake Paul, if he ever steps into that ring with Anthony Joshua, he basically has two options: lose spectacularly, or try to win ugly, following the blueprint laid out by the one guy who actually pulled it off.

It’s a long shot, a massive, ridiculous long shot. But Andy Ruiz Jr. proved that sometimes, just sometimes, the biggest underdog can roar the loudest. Will Jake Paul listen? Will he adopt this gritty, grind-it-out strategy? More importantly, could he even come close to pulling off such a monumental upset? Honestly, I have no idea. But a small, guilty part of me is kind of fascinated by the thought. Boxing, you never cease to surprise, do you?