Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury have yet to share a ring, but there have been plenty of verbal spars between the British heavyweights.

In his most recent rant at Joshua, the ‘Gypsy King’ claimed his divisional rival will once again be on the receiving end of a stoppage loss when he takes on Andy Ruiz Jr in a rematch this weekend.

The Mexican-American shocked the world inside Madison Square Garden when he pummelled the previously unbeaten Joshua having dropped him four times.

Matchroom Boxing 8 The rematch has been announced for December 7 in Diriyah

Joshua has the chance to avenge this humiliating defeat on December 7 when the pair meet in Saudi Arabia, despite claims to the contrary by the ‘Destroyer’ on Instagram.

But Fury believes his fellow Brit will be equally susceptible to Ruiz’s quick hands and brutal inside fighting.

When asked if he anticipated another knockout, Fury told First Take: “One million per cent. I thought Ruiz won every round in that fight.

“It wasn’t a fluke punch like Hasim Rahman and Lennox Lewis, and then in the rematch he turned up, didn’t get hit with a punch and knocked him out.

Getty Images - Getty 8 The ‘Gypsy King’ had some words of advice for his fellow countryman

“He clearly lost the rounds. He was getting outboxed, he was getting outfought and then he got knocked down three times, two to boot.

“So I don’t see him really improving, not unless he comes out on his toes and tries to do a Tyson Fury and slip out the way, which he doesn’t have the body type or the boxing ability to do.”

Fury is not the only former heavyweight champion to have voiced his concerns for AJ in the Saudi Arabia rematch, with Evander Holyfield also backing Ruiz to shock the world.

Speaking to World Boxing News, he said: “Andy Ruiz Jr really can fight. He has fast hands and can really hit hard. But don’t nobody seem to know it.

“Everyone is thinking it’s a fluke (that he beat Anthony Joshua the first time), but the guy showed he can get up from being knocked down. He got took down and got back up to win.”

Getty Images - Getty 8 Evander Holyfield knows plenty about becoming a heavyweight champion

He added: “You look at Ruiz and he doesn’t look like he can fight at all. Nothing tells you he can fight, but he can fight.

“I knew that he could fight because I sparred with him. At the time, I was 46 and he was 19. I couldn’t believe a 19-year-old could be that good and so aggressive, he would chase me down.

“I’m like, ‘I’m the heavyweight champion of the world, who’s he trying to chase down?’

“It was just amazing the confidence that he had and the persistence to cut the ring down even in sparring.

“So, I know that persistently, he will fight that same fight that he fought last time. If he’s (Joshua) not ready to have someone in his face in the whole fight then it could end up the same way again.”

Mark Robinson/Matchroom 8 Joshua spat out his mouthpiece before being beaten in New York

So how on earth can ‘AJ’ extinguish the ghost of New York and beat Ruiz?

Below, we have identified five key factors the Watford-native must correct before the ‘Clash of the Dunes’ takes place in Riyadh.

1. Use the Jab more effectively

Getty Images - Getty 8 Joshua’s jab is a devastating weapon, something Povetkin learned in 2018

As an Olympic Gold medallist, Joshua’s technical skills are finely tuned from his amateur days, no matter how brief they were.

On his day, the Brit fires his left hand out like a piston and is adept at finding the target, setting up a huge right hand over the top – perhaps his most devastating punch.

In the fight in New York, Joshua appeared to throw the jab from the hip, something he has not previously attempted before. The 29-year-old will once again have an eight-inch reach advantage over the much smaller Mexican and must use this to his benefit.

However, from his orthodox stance, Joshua’s natural instinct is to step to his left as he throws the jab – something he must avoid as talkSPORT will explain later.

2. Time Uppercuts when Ruiz comes in

AFP - Getty 8 Klitschko was king at fighting smaller men at range, catching Alex Leapai with a beautiful uppercut in 2014

When Lennox Lewis knocked out Mike Tyson in 2002, the former undisputed world heavyweight champion did so by using his uppercut to devastating effect.

Lewis would throw out his jab and, knowing Tyson’s head movement was superior, instead timed his shots when the American leaned forward to catch him cold.

It allowed him to fight on the outside and keep the dangerous Tyson away, with the uppercuts acting as a deterrent. And we know Joshua possesses a terrific uppercut, something he demonstrated with devastating effect on Wladimir Klitschko at Wembley in 2017.

But planting his feet is not an option for Joshua, as we saw in the first fight. When he throws, he must create angles by stepping to the side or avoid getting into a firefight.

3. Move feet efficiently to create distance and angles

Getty Images - Getty 8 Creating angles and keeping distance is vital for AJ in Saudi Arabia

As mentioned in the first point, throwing out a lazy jab and stepping to his left will leave Joshua open to a huge overhand right from Ruiz.

The Mexican was not afraid to let his hands go when the opportunity presented itself and Joshua’s long limbs cannot move as quickly as the shorter fighter.

Since moving backwards is simply asking for trouble in a fist fight, the Brit should instead step to his right when he throws his jab and pivot away from the onrushing Ruiz.

While he may not be the next Vasyl Lomachenko, the Brit has the physical attributes to be nimble and quick on his toes.

Anthony Joshua and Andy Ruiz Jr both promise victory in Saudi Arabia

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4. ‘Frame’ Ruiz when he gets inside and force him to use his energy

If Ruiz does get inside, which from the evidence of the first fight is likely, Joshua needs to keep his composure and nullify the threat.

The Brit admitted Deontay Wilder’s KO of Dominic Breazeale had affected him before the fight, but he now knows there is no need to try and take Ruiz out early to send a message.

So rather than swing wildly and try to take his man out (never hook with a hooker, as the saying goes) he should instead ‘Frame’ the smaller man.

Framing in boxing means to use your arms and forearms to keep an opponent off, or in this instance, under you. It is something taller heavyweights like Fury and Klitschko have performed to perfection.

It not only stops your opponent from throwing upwards, but it allows you to put your weight onto them and drain the strength in their legs as they try and force you off. It may be dirty boxing to stick a

Joshua has a four-inch height advantage in this fight and has the strength to force his man down before spinning out and creating a new angle of attack, before popping off the jab all over again.

5. Stay tall and do not sink to Ruiz’s level

Getty Images - Getty 8 Staying tall and not getting into a firefight is essential for the Brit

The tendency for taller fighters is to stoop slightly and to sink to the level of their opponent.

Joshua’s last four opponents have all been smaller than him; Carlos Takam, Joseph Parker, Alexander Povetkin and then Ruiz.

And the Brit has shown a tendency to bend his knees and sink into the canvas somewhat.

Instead, Joshua must stand tall and tuck his chin into his chest if needs be, but keeping away from the faster and more explosive Mexican is key.

Joshua must be aware that by doing this Ruiz will target his body eventually to drain the energy from him. But in doing so, the champion will leave himself open to those devastating uppercuts mentioned previously.