Three of boxing’s four major Heavyweight titles will be on the line in Madison Square Garden in New York, N.Y., tonight (Sat., June 1, 2019) when WBO/IBF/WBA “Super” champion Anthony Joshua squares off with former title challenger Andy Ruiz Jr.
MMAmania will deliver LIVE coverage of the main event. The DAZN broadcast begins with the undercard at 5:30 p.m. ET, then continues with the main card at 8:30 p.m. The main event will likely start around 11:30-12:00.
Joshua (22-0, 21 KO) — who’s coming off an impressive knockout of Alexander Povetkin — was originally slated to face unbeaten Jarrell Miller, who wound up failing three separate drug tests for three separate performance-enhancing substances. This opened the door for Ruiz (32-1, 21 KO), whose fluffy frame belies eye-catching speed and skills that nearly earned him a world title against Joseph Parker in 2016.
The main card also includes a four-belt women’s Lightweight unification between Katie Taylor and Delfine Persoon, plus the latest from Welterweight prospect Josh Kelly and top Super Middleweight Callum Smith.
“Joshua vs. Ruiz Jr.” Quick Results:
Anthony Joshua vs. Andy Ruiz Jr. — Ruiz Jr. def. Joshua by TKO at 1:27 of Round Seven
“Joshua Vs. Ruiz Jr.” Round-By-Round Coverage:
Heavyweight Championship: Anthony Joshua vs. Andy Ruiz Jr.
Round one: Man, the DAZN stream is terrible so far.
Starting with the jab battle. Flurry from Ruiz inside. 1-2 by Joshua as Ruiz throws. One minute in. Ruiz busier so far on the front foot. One minute to go. Ruiz appears to land a left hook on the ropes. Jabs from Joshua. Ruiz combination. Joshua with some more stiff jabs. close. 10-9 Ruiz on activity.
Round two: Ruiz staying busy with his combinations, lands well early. One minute in. This stupid stream is freezing ever 20 seconds or so. Slower second minute. Joshua working his jab. Counter right from Joshua, hard hook with a minute to go. Nothing in the third minute. 10-9, 20-18 Ruiz.
Round three: Joshua steps in with a combination and a left hook at the end puts Ruiz on his rear. Ruiz beats the count and looks to trade with him and suddenly Ruiz has hurt Joshua with his own left hook! Joshua stumbles down after the subsequent barrage. Joshua beats the count, quickly ties up. Still clinching to survive. Still. One minute to go. Ruiz lands a combination. Another left hook to the temple and Joshua is not steady. Joshua clinches again. Ruiz backs him to the corner. 3-2 hurts Joshua again and Ruiz is unloading in the corner. Down goes Joshua again! He beats the count and survives the round by the skin of his teeth. 10-8, 30-26 Ruiz.
Round four: Ruiz marching after him still. Body jab lands. Right cross from Joshua. Left hook lands. Clinch. One minute in. Damn this stream. One minute to go. Left hook lands for Ruiz. Joshua right cross. 10-9, 40-35 Ruiz.
Round five: Joshua sitting back down on his jab. 2-3 from Ruiz a minute in. Counter right lands. Body jab. Jabs and body shot from Joshua, then a massive left hook with a minute to go. Clinch. 1-2-3 by Ruiz hits the guard. Right cross connects. 10-9 Joshua, 49-45 Ruiz.
Round six: Joshua a little more aggressive in the early going. He avoids a hook and straight right. One minute in. Jab exchange. 3-2 lands for Ruiz. Another right through the guard, clinch. They trade in the corner, clinch. One minute to go. Good body shot from Ruiz draws a grimace. More body shots. 2-1 lands clean. Right hand downstairs. Joshua looks like he might already be breathing heavily. 10-9, 59-54 Ruiz.
Round seven: Ruiz with an early flurry that takes out Joshua’s legs once again. Another knockdown on the ropes. Joshua firing his jab, knocks Ruiz back but gets blasted with an overhand right for another knockdown. His mouthpiece is out and he does not look good. Joshua looks exhausted when he stands and the ref doesn’t like what he sees. He stops it.
Final result: Ruiz def. Joshua by TKO