ANTHONY JOSHUA sent Andy Ruiz Jr classy messages after their rematch – which inspired the ex-champion to shed almost three stone and fight again.

Joshua was handed a devastating first career loss in June 2019, as Ruiz dropped him four times before winning in round seven.

Anthony Joshua and Andy Ruiz Jr after their rematchCredit: The Sun

But in the rematch, AJ exacted sweet revenge just six months later and won back his unified belts.

Ruiz fell into depression after the defeat and piled on even more pounds, but revealed he was consoled by Joshua on Instagram.

He told the Daily Mail: “There were a few messages. We were just saying that I’d bounce back, that I’m a great fighter.

“I have nothing but love for him. I don’t have no grudges.”

Ruiz, 31, filled in for drug cheat Jarrell Miller before taking the opportunity of a lifetime and upsetting the odds.

But he lost dedication and focussed his efforts on partying and parading, before labouring to a 12-round points loss in Saudi Arabia.

Since the loss, only Ruiz’s second in 35 fights, he has relocated to Canelo Alvarez’s adopted US home of San Diego.

There, he has dramatically transformed his body under esteemed coach Eddy Reynoso, dropping to 18st 4lb.

BODY TRANSFORMATION

It was the much needed structure he was missing in his training camp, having lost focus while doing things his own way after winning the belts.

Ruiz returns to the ring on May 1 against against Chris Arreola, 40, his first since switching camps.

He said on his YouTube channel: “All this hard work and dedication is gonna pay off man.

“I’m tired man, you see me do all those f***ing drills man? But, like I said, all this hard work and dedication is gonna pay off.

“Everyone’s gonna see the difference. Everyone’s gonna see my hard work, that’s what it’s all about.

Andy Ruiz Jr’s stunning body transformation

“I’m ready for my next fight. I’m ready, excited, ready to prove everybody wrong.

“I must have lost 40lbs [2st 12lbs]. After my fight against Anthony Joshua, my defeat in Saudi Arabia, I gained to like 310lbs [22st 2lbs].

“I was depressed, I was mad at myself because I knew I should’ve trained, I knew I should’ve done better in my last fight, but it’s never too late.

“Now is the beginning to see the real and new Andy Ruiz Jr.”