Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr: What AJ said to his corner moments before stoppage in shock title defeat
In one of the most stunning upsets in heavyweight boxing history, Joshua lost his WBA, WBO and IBF titles to the man who took the fight at just five weeks’ notice
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Your support makes all the difference.Anthony Joshua appeared unsure of what round it was before later succumbing to a shock seventh-round stoppage against Andy Ruiz Jr in their heavyweight contest at Madison Square Garden.
In one of the most stunning upsets in heavyweight boxing history, Joshua lost his WBA, WBO and IBF titles to the man who took the fight at just five weeks’ notice, having replaced Jarrell Miller after his failed drugs tests.
Despite knocking Ruiz to the canvas 45 seconds into the third round, Joshua was floored twice before the bell rang as the Mexican-American mounted an incredible comeback.
Joshua was able to negotiate the fourth, fifth and sixth without any further scares, but come the seventh Ruiz went on the attack again, and after two knockdowns inside the first minute, Joshua failed to respond to referee Mike Griffin’s commands, giving him no option than to wave off the fight.
From start to finish Joshua looked a shadow of his former self, and the true extent of the Briton’s struggles were showcased at the end of the fifth round when he spoke to trainer Rob McCracken.
“What round is it?” he asked, before returning at the end of the sixth and questioning “Why am I feeling like this?”
The seventh round followed, and with it came the evening’s unexpected denouement as Ruiz emerged victorious with all three of Joshua’s titles.
The defeat inflicts Joshua’s first professional loss and causes a major setback in his plans to face Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury.
Joshua was his usual magnanimous self in defeat as he vowed to come back stronger.
“Boxing’s a tough sport,” he said. “I trained hard, stayed dedicated.
“It’ll be interesting to see how he does. Fighter at heart, boxer by trade. He done well, everyone’s come out to a good night of boxing.
“When your legs are all over the gaff you try to stabilise your mind. With me, they can’t box with me so they just look for the big shots.
“We put together a strong team and I’m the first to take a loss. We’ll bounce back.
“I’ve got to get that solid armoury. Congratulations to him, every fighter deserves respect. I respect every fighter. This is part of the legacy and story, I look forward to seeing where I went wrong.
“He’s the champ for now. I shall return.”
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