Source:
https://scmp.com/sport/boxing/article/3012765/andy-ruiz-shocks-anthony-joshua-win-heavyweight-title-madison-square
Sport/ Boxing

Andy Ruiz destroys Anthony Joshua to win heavyweight titles at Madison Square Garden

  • English boxer downed twice in the third round but is saved by the bell before another two knock-downs in the seventh round
  • Joshua had only been dropped once before in his career while Ruiz becomes first fighter of Mexican descent to win title
Andy Ruiz Jnr knocks down Anthony Joshua. Photo: AFP

Britain’s Anthony Joshua was shocked on his US debut by Andy Ruiz Jnr in front of a packed crowd at Madison Square Garden as the American fighter claimed the IBF, WBA and WBO World Heavyweight titles.

The Englishman was expected to stroll to victory against the Mexican-American fighter but things did not go to plan.

The upset has even been described as the biggest in the history of the sport, even more than Buster Douglas beating Mike Tyson in 1989.

It was an even fight in the first two rounds before exploding in the third.

Joshua dropped Ruiz, who is known as “The Destroyer”, but

the British boxer was then sent to the canvas twice himself. He had only been dropped once before in his 23 fight career. This also marks his first defeat as a professional.

Anthony Joshua is given the count. Photo: Reuters
Anthony Joshua is given the count. Photo: Reuters

After a calmer fourth round, Ruiz sent Joshua to the floor twice more in the seventh and the referee stopped the fight.

Ruiz becomes the first fighter of Mexican descent to be heavyweight champion. He only agreed to the fight four weeks ago.

“I just want to thank God for giving me this victory. Without him this wouldn’t have been possible,” he said afterwards. “This is what I have been dreaming about. This is what I have been working hard for, and I can’t believe I just made my dreams come true.”

Joshua was gracious in defeat.

“Big respect to Andy, big, big respect,” he said. “Good fighter. Thank you, America. Thank you everyone for coming out this evening. Sorry I let my friends down, sorry I let my supporters down.”

The sell-out crowd fell silent when Ruiz won.

Earlier, Liverpool boxer Callum Smith knocked out Hassam N’Dam to retain the super middleweight title.

That came on the back of a controversial win for Irish boxer Katie Taylor, who was given a points decision over Delfine Persoon.