Andy Ruiz Jr has declared that he wants to lose a stone in weight ahead of his rematch with Anthony Joshua later this year.
The Mexican-American underdog was unfancied by the watching public, in many cases due to his physique, before his shock victory over AJ in June.
At the weigh-in Joshua’s fans chanted “you fat b*****d” at Ruiz Jr, though he of course had the last laugh by knocking out their man 24 hours later.
Despite this, the new champion insists he does want to make some changes before the second fight.
Ruiz Jr told USA Today: “I want to be more toned. Just shock the world even more, you know? I’ll have more ability, more speed, more power if I turn the little flab I have into muscle.
“I’m not trying to be with six-pack abs and big muscles and all that. None of that, you know. But just look a little different and more lean.”
For the first fight, Ruiz weighed in at 268lbs (19st 2lbs).
In the rematch he hopes to be around 250lbs (17st 12lbs) or 255lbs (18st 3lbs), losing a stone or so to get there.
He continued: “That’s something I’m working on now, choosing the right foods. If not, I would be eating a three-patty hamburger with bacon and all kinds of cheese.
“People need to understand that I came this far being chubby and all that. Imagine how far I could go actually being in good shape and looking good.
“It’s going to work in my advantage. I know it’s going to work. I’m going to feel a lot better and have more ability. I’d love to be at 250/255lbs, but just be fit and be solid.
“Now that I have the right team behind me and the right equipment and all that, I think it’s going to work out for my benefit and it’s going to work out in my favour.
“The main thing is just to stay focused.”
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