In a significant upset, Andy Ruiz Jr. shocked the boxing world Saturday, stopping unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua in seven rounds at Madison Square Garden.
Ruiz, who took the fight on short notice, became the first Mexican-American heavyweight champion in the process.
An 11-1 underdog, Ruiz knocked down Joshua four times — two times each in the third and seventh rounds. The 29-year-old even overcame a knockdown in Round 3 to send Joshua to the canvas moments later.
Making his U.S. debut, Joshua was previously undefeated and one of the sport’s brightest stars.
Andy F—ING RUIZ JR. #JoshuaRuiz pic.twitter.com/bjjNhWlbTD
— DAZN USA (@DAZN_USA) June 2, 2019
Awesome sequence in Round 3. Ruiz came to fight, y’all! #JoshuaRuiz pic.twitter.com/ClNBYqWKtn
— MyBookie Sportsbook (@betmybookie) June 2, 2019
Referee Michael Griffin stopped the fight 1:27 into the seventh.
Ruiz’s upset drew comparisons to Buster Douglas’ knockout against Mike Tyson and Hasim Rahman’s win over Lennox Lewis.
Joshua told reporters afterward he plans to exercise the rematch clause in his contract.
Ruiz improved to 33-1 with 22 knockouts with the victory.
• Matthew Paras can be reached at mparas@washingtontimes.com.
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