Andy Ruiz Jr vs Anthony Joshua 2 is set to be one of the biggest clashes in the heavyweight division in recent years, with the latter aiming to regain his lost glory, and the former planning on continuing his domination over the Brit.

The fight will take place at a natural venue this time in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia on December 7, and a big question floating around the boxing world is, 'what happens if AJ loses again?'

Tony Bellew has been a great admirer of his close pal AJ, and this time around, the situation is no different, and he's been the latest boxer to discuss what happens in the future if the result was to be the same.

The former boxer will be voicing his support for the former unified champion as he takes the ring for the highly anticipated rematch against his Mexican counterpart.

However, Bellew has delivered a warning sign for the 30-year-old which could be catastrophic in the long term for AJ.

Talking on talkSPORT, speaking on what happens if Ruiz gets the better of AJ again, Bellew replied: “It’s a mountain to climb. I don’t want to say that he should retire because that is ridiculous. In no other sport in the world do you have a loss and then everyone tells you to retire.

“But it would be very hard to get back to the highs he has already experienced in his career.

If he does lose, they will freeze him out. The champions won’t come near him.

Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury are some of the big names doing the rounds to face Joshua next, but both could distance themselves from any possible bouts against him in the upcoming months, especially if Ruiz wins again.

Yet, despite the concerns, Bellew is confident AJ has the skill-set and mental composure to outlast Ruiz this Saturday.

“It is a worrying fight, it really is,” the Liverpudlian continued.

“Johnny Vegas [Ruiz] looks like his hands are even quicker than last time. I hope he [Joshua] does it. I do think he will.

“I think he will break him down slowly and surely. I think he will go in there with the same approach as he did first time, but he won’t jump on him really quickly last time.

“He had him completely gone in that third round and if he just dictated the jab and took his time going in, he gets rid of Ruiz.”