No one gave Andy Ruiz Jr. a chance to defeat Anthony Joshua and become the unified heavyweight champion of the world.
Ruiz, who was installed as 25-1 underdog, pulled off one of the greatest upsets in boxing history by scoring four knockdowns including two in the seventh round to finish Joshua off to become the IBF, WBA (super) and WBO heavyweight champion of the world at Madison Square Garden. Sporting News had Ruiz up 57-56 at the time of the stoppage. Ruiz (33-1, 22 KOs) becomes the first fighter of Mexican descent to become heavyweight champion.
“I just feel so good, man!”, Ruiz Jr. said in his post-fight interview with Chris Mannix. “I just made history, baby – for Mexico!”
Here is what happened at Anthony Joshua vs. Andy Ruiz Jr.
Anthony Joshua vs. Andy Ruiz Jr. live updates, results
Round 6: A much needed round for Ruiz as Joshua began to get some momentum back from the fifth round. Ruiz went hard to the body and made Joshua pay for fighting tentative. (10-9 Ruiz, 57-56 Ruiz)
Round 5: Good bounceback for Joshua. He started going back to the jab and landed a flush left hook. Ruiz needs to pick it back up and go for the overhand right, (10-9 Joshua, 47-47)
Round 4: After a sensational round, Joshua was tentative and Ruiz took his foot off the pedal even though he was the more active fight. He could have finished Joshua off there and failed to do it.Can it cost him? (10-9 Ruiz, 38-37 Ruiz)
11:00 p.m.: Joshua is going to have to earn this title defense.
Round 3: What a round! Joshua appeared to have Ruiz put away when he dropped him with a left hook. But Ruiz vailantly came back and dropped Joshua with a left hand. Joshua was on shaky legs the rest of the round. With Joshua’s back against the ropes, Ruiz dropped Joshua one more time with a straighr right hand. Joshua barely made it up at the count of eight and the round came to a close. This is Ruiz’s fight for the taking. (10-8 Ruiz, 28-28)
Round 2: Ruiz came right out and connected on a couple jabs and a nice right hand, but failed to do that the rest of the round. Joshua continues popping the jab and landed a hard right hand. (10-9, 20-18 Joshua)
Round 1: Joshua boxed the entire round by jabbing on the outside and feeling out Ruiz, who needs to get on the inside and let Joshua know he’s there. (10-9, Joshua)
10:35 p.m.: Here comes the unified heavyweight champion of the world, Anthony Joshua. What an ovation for the three-belt holder.
10:30 p.m.: Anthony Joshua and Andy Ruiz Jr. about to make their walks to the ring. Ruiz making his walk first.
10:27 p.m.: It is time for the main event of the evening, as Anthony Joshua puts his IBF, WBA (super) and WBO heavyweight championships on the line against former title challenger Andy Ruiz Jr.
Joshua (22-0, 21 KOs) is making his United States debut and is looking to put on a show for the American audience. Can Ruiz quiet those who say he has absolutely no chance to win?
