He still believes, though, that he might have been able to retain those belts when Joshua came calling for them back had he prepared better for their second bout.

“He won the rematch against me because I didn’t do my part. That’s the only reason,” Ruiz said.

“If I had stuck to the game plan and did the same thing that I did in the first fight, trust me, I would have beat him. But I had to learn the hard way.”

The American, who still holds hope he will be able to meet Joshua again for a trilogy fight, added: “I had to get back on the ladders and get back on top, and that’s exactly what I’m going to do.

“I just hope Anthony Joshua overcomes this and he becomes champion again so I can take those belts back.”