Stephen A. Smith had to backpedal after being called out by Andy Ruiz Jr. for his disrespect.
Ruiz Jr. defeated Anthony Joshua on Saturday night at MSG in a stunning result, knocking the heavyweight champ down four times and securing a 7th-round TKO win.
After the fight, Smith tweeted that he was “disgusted” over the superfight fans craved between Joshua and Deontay Wilder now being ruined. In the process, he referred to Ruiz as “Butter Bean” and called him “some dude.” He was so unimpressed by Ruiz, he called the outcome “a damn disgrace.”
OMG! OMG! I cannot believe this S$&@$! Anthony Joshua — holder of 3 belts, gets TKO’d by Butter Bean…….I mean some dude named Andy Ruiz JR. What a damn disgrace. Joshua looked completely gassed! More fatigued than hurt! Now how in the Hell did you let that happen? How?
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) June 2, 2019
Ruiz Jr. tweeted back at Smith, encouraging him to study up on the sport so Smith would be more knowledgeable and realize Ruiz Jr. was more than just “some dude.”
@stephenasmith I encourage you to do your research before insulting my career. I know boxing isn’t your lane but if you are gonna talk about boxing please study and know what you are saying. https://t.co/xa4xSCZvBG
— AndyRuizjr (@Andy_destroyer1) June 3, 2019
Smith then responded by saying he wasn’t insulting Ruiz’s career and turned things around by saying he thought Ruiz was “pretty damn good.”
With all due respect Ruiz, I’d prefer to return the favor by encouraging you to do your own research or, more simply, to quote me accurately! By no means did I insult your career. Never even questioned it. In fact, I specifically recall acknowledging that you’re pretty damn good.
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) June 3, 2019
Hmm, Smith seems to be glossing over that he called Ruiz “Butter Bean” and “some dude.” That showed a lack of respect for Ruiz. Smith then went on to try and spin the argument to focus on how he was talking about being upset the Wilder-Joshua fight fans wanted had been ruined. While that is no doubt the case, Smith refuses to admit he insulted Ruiz from the start. He was completely wrong about Ruiz and won’t admit it or apologize for it. All he can do is retreat and try to spin the conversation as he backpedals. It’s a bad look, one that can easily be remedied by saying he was wrong.
