Andy Ruiz Jr defied critics to topple Anthony Joshua in The Big Apple
Mexican defeats Briton in New York
The Fairytale of New York saw AndyRuizJr (33-1) become the first Mexican world heavyweight champion with a seventh-round TKO over former unified world champ Anthony Joshua (22-1).
The far shorter Ruiz Jr was on the front foot right from the opening bell and was the sharper of the two when landing jabs and evading shots. His counters were blisteringly fast and came in quick combinations. Joshua, on the backfoot throughout the entire opening three minutes, only managed to land one hard jab as the klaxons sounded for the last 10 seconds. A clear round for the challenger on the scorecards.
AJ’s instruction from the corner was to keep it long in round two. The incentivised Ruiz came straight out of his corner to land a double jab on Joshua followed up by two right hooks. Despite the quick start, it was a bit less busy and far more tentative in the second stanza with AJ pawing out his left hand, which he held low, and Ruiz patiently waiting for an opening. AJ then received a roar from the crowd as he countered Ruiz with a short right hook to the chin but it only served as fuel for the Mexican who fired back instantly with hooks not allowing Joshua to follow up on his success. It was more of an even round but Ruiz would’ve deserved the 10 for his higher volume and workrate. AJ not throwing a lot, opting to keep on his toes instead.
The far shorter Ruiz Jr was on the front foot right from the opening bell and was the sharper of the two when landing jabs and evading too. His counters were blisteringly fast and came in combinations. Joshua, on the backfoot throughout the entire opening three minutes, only managed to land one hard jab as the klaxons sounded for the last 10 seconds. A clear round for the challenger on the scorecards.
AJ’s instruction from the corner was to keep it long in round two. The incentivised Ruiz came straight out of his corner to land a double jab on Joshua followed up by two right hooks. Despite the quick start, it was a bit less busy and far more tentative in the second stanza with AJ pawing out his left hand, which he held low, and Ruiz patiently waiting for an opening. AJ then received a roar from the crowd as he countered Ruiz with a short right hook to the chin but it only served as fuel for the Mexican who fired back instantly with hooks not allowing Joshua to follow up on his success. It was more of an even round but Ruiz would’ve deserved the 10 for his higher volume and workrate. AJ not throwing a lot, opting to keep on his toes instead.
Against the run of play, the first real close exchange on the first minute of the third segment saw the champion land one of his trademark uppercuts followed by a left hook that put Ruiz down.
Then the fight caught fire! Joshua came forward with the intent that we have seen throughout his 21 career knockouts and landed the heaviest of straight rights you could ask for, which clearly hurt the challenger but he fired back and landed a left hook that then put the champion down.
Ruiz seem clear-eyed, Joshua did not. The Brit backed up pawing out a jab to the body but with no speed or power, just designed to keep the puncher away. Then the Mexican launched forward with a brazen one-two that landed hard and hurt his man trapped in the corner and almost went through the ropes.
Referee Michael Griffin asked the open-mouthed Joshua to walk towards him after he beat the count but he didn’t but somehow allowed him continue at which point he was saved by the bell.
Ruiz came out firing in round four, knowing he was so close to making history by becoming the first heavyweight world champion of Mexican descent. However, the action in this round was very different to all others as very little occurred between two top boxers wary of each other’s power.
Joshua’s head still wasn’t clear in the fourth stanza and Ruiz Jr let him off the hook with his reduced output.
At the start of round five, which very many critics didn't beleive that Ruiz would reach, the challenger had outlanded the champion significantly with 21 power punches compared to AJ's 16. It was another tepid affair but Joshua landed a heavy left hook in the closing minute which he followed up but Ruiz stayed strong under the pressure. He fired back with a combination that was mostly blocked but got through with a hard right hand in the final seconds. Joshua looked to be back in the game after this round ended.
Ruiz's output was visibly down in the last couple of rounds but he changed that in the sixth by walking Joshua down and landing freely. AJ was talking to him and inviting him in but he stayed patient and landed intelligently.
The seventh stanza saw Ruiz come to life again. A left hand got through early on and he jumped on Joshua with a relentless assault to the head, culminating in a third knockdown just 30 seconds into the round.
Michael Griffin issued the count and asked him if he was alright, to which Joshua smiled and raised his eyebrows. However, he was down again seconds later despite landed a couple of clean punches himself. He took a knee after another frenzied exchange and looked to be beaten.
He beat the count for the fourth time but seemed to be missing his mouthpiece, the official asked if he could continue but he didn't respond postively enough and he rightfully waved off the fight.
Andy Ruiz Jr and his trainer Manny Robles jumped for joy in the centre of the ring when they saw the official's decision.
The new unified champion gace praise to God in the post-fight interview and said, "I've dreamed of this since I was six-years-old. if it wasn't for my dad, I wouldn't be here."
When asked how he took AJ's best shots and kept moving forward, he responded with, "Because I'm a Mexican warrior, I've got that Mexican blood."
The fallen champion gave praise to his one and only conqueror and said, "Big respect to Andy, good fighter. Sorry I let my fans down." Then he mysteriously added, "I'm going to make a move." He then left the ring without granting a full interview, but questions were asked whether that meant he would be changing camps.
The sole career defeat means that the much anticipated match-up with WBC champion Deontay Wilder would incur even further delay. Tyson Fury will also be made to wait after Joshua called him out next before his June 1 fight.
Eddie Hearn promised to make the rematch in the UK in November or December.
Ireland superstar Katie Taylor completed her journey from Olympic gold medallist to undisputed female lightweight world champion with a thrilling but controversial points win over Delfine Persoon.
The number one super-middleweight in the world Callum Smith floored Hassan N'Dam three times in three rounds as he delivered a clinical display to defend his WBA super-middleweight world title and WBC Diamond belt.