There's no doubt that Anthony Joshua's greatness took a big hit with his seventh-round TKO loss to Andy Ruiz Jr.
The British boxer could reassert that greatness with a win over Ruiz in their rematch Dec. 7 to become a two-time unified world heavyweight champion. However, another emphatic loss to Ruiz, and Joshua's fighting legacy might never be the same.
When asked if he'd be happy with a legacy as a one-time unified world heavyweight champion, Joshua simply told the BBC, "No."
"I don't think I would be content if I don't win the titles," Joshua said. "For me as a man, it means more than anything."
That's precisely why he is so hell-bent on snatching back the crown in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia next month.
"I'll beat Andy next time," Joshua said. "You'll be asking me a whole heap of different questions on December 8th."
Joshua had Ruiz right where he wanted him in their first clash, as he used a scintillating right-uppercut, left-hook combination to drop the challenger with a thud. When Ruiz rose off the canvas, Joshua rocked him with a right hand, but the Mexican-American hung tough and caught AJ with a left hook of his own that paved the way for four knockdowns and the upset victory for the 15:1 underdog.
If Joshua drops Ruiz in their rematch, he vows that he'll know what to do this time around.
"Nail him again. The rhythm, your fluidity — boxing is milliseconds," Joshua told the BBC. "That split second timing to evade that punch, the next time I am in there, that's why I am prepared, the coordination, the muscle memory, I should be fine-tuned."