By Rory O’Callaghan

Anthony Joshua believes Andy Ruiz Jr is a “smarter” fighter than Jarrell Miller and admits he has had to adapt his preparation for his US debut in New York.

Joshua defends his WBA ‘super’, IBF and WBO heavyweight belts at Madison Square Garden on June 1, live on Sky Sports Box Office.

Ruiz was named as a replacement for Miller after the American failed a drugs test and Joshua expects his new opponent to provide a much sterner test of his defensive skills.

“Obviously with Miller he was 300lbs, his punch output was very high as well – so what I tried to do was adapt my training in terms of size and punch output and what I was going to do to someone that comes forward all the time,” Joshua told Sky Sports News.

“Ruiz doesn’t weigh as much, he is a lot quicker than Miller and I think he uses punch variety and punch selection a lot better than Miller does.

“His punch output is a lot lower but he is more accurate with his punches. I have to be better with my defence, a lot tighter and be smarter against someone like Ruiz.

“Even though he is not as big and doesn’t work as hard to a certain degree, he is a lot smarter.”

Joshua insists he is unfazed by his change of opponent and says he is well prepared for his US debut.

“It’s fine. The good thing is when you don’t take your eye off the prize and you prepare for things like this, it isn’t an issue,” he said.

Article courtesy of Rory O’Callaghan & Sky Sports