That actually happened. Andy Ruiz Jr is the new unified heavyweight champion after knocking out Anthony Joshua.
Your eyes are not deceiving you. Andy Ruiz Jr (33-1, 22 KOs) just stopped Anthony Joshua (22-1, 21 KOs) to become the unified heavyweight champion.
Having taken the fight on short notice, the Mexican-American was an understandably massive 11-to-1 underdog taking on the British superstar in the latter’s United States debut. It looked like the long odds would be justified when Joshua dropped Ruiz with a left hook in the third-round. The tables turned dramatically when Ruiz rocked Joshua and knocked him down in response after landing a left to the temple. A flurry of shots floored Joshua again at the end of the third. Joshua got his legs back under him over the next couple of rounds, but appeared to be rocked again in the sixth. Ruiz sent Joshua to the mat early in round seven, then one more time to make it four knockdowns. Joshua spit out his mouthpiece, and when referee Michael Griffin asked Joshua if he was ready to box, he just stayed in his corner saying “yes” but never came forward, and stopped it.
One of the biggest upsets in recent memory. Looks can be deceiving! Ruiz’s physique sure was subject to heavy ridicule, but he fought his ass off and is now in possession of three titles as the first ever Mexican heavyweight king.
Watch the highlights below. Here’s our PBP of the shocking fight that stunned so many fans at Madison Square Garden and around the world:
Round 7 – Good left hook by Joshua but Ruiz swarms him in response and drops him again! Joshua throws several left hooks and then Ruiz knocks him down a fourth time! And he spit out his mouthpiece. REFEREE STOPS THE FIGHT! Joshua doesn’t want to continue. Andy Ruiz has done it!
Official result: Andy Ruiz def. Anthony Joshua by TKO at 1:27 of round 7 to become the WBO, IBF, and WBA heavyweight champion
WE HAVE A FIGHT ON OUR HANDS LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!#JoshuaRuiz pic.twitter.com/Kf4zJBebne
— DAZN USA (@DAZN_USA) June 2, 2019
Andy F—ING RUIZ JR. #JoshuaRuiz pic.twitter.com/bjjNhWlbTD
— DAZN USA (@DAZN_USA) June 2, 2019