Andy Ruiz’s knockout of the chiseled 6-6, 247-pound Anthony Joshua (22-1, 21 KOs), 29, was making his seventh title defense and his much-anticipated United States debut in Madison square garden after regularly selling out stadiums in the United Kingdom. He came to these shores hoping to build his brand in America and because streaming service DAZN put up tens of millions of dollars to lure him here. Practically everyone thought Ruiz (33-1, 22 KOs), a 20-1 underdog had no chance of winning. He proved everyone wrong with a thrilling 7th round knockout which shocked the sports world.
Andy Ruiz (33-1, 22 KO’s) is now the new WBA, IBF, and WBO World Heavyweight Champion of the world. Making history in becoming the first Mexican American to become the heavyweight champion of the world with his dominance and knock out of the 2012 Olympic gold medal winner and world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua (22-1, 21KO’s) Ruiz showed talent and guts in going against the much taller and muscular Joshua.
After experiencing his first knockdown, in the 3rd round, Ruiz got up determined to get payback, and that he did by hurting and knocking down the much bigger Joshua, then following up with combinations, which Joshua had no answers for, because he was hurt and stunned, as was the whole world that tuned in. In the seventh round, they were both in attack mode when Ruiz hurt Joshua and unloaded a dozen unanswered punches that finally dropped an exhausted Joshua.
He managed to beat the count, but Ruiz floored him again, sending him to one knee. He had his head down as he listened to referee Michael Griffin’s count and barely beat it. He walked to the corner, where Griffin said something to him, but Joshua put his arms on the ropes with his back leaning on the corner post and Griffin waved off the fight at 1 minute, 27 seconds, leaving the crowd in shock.
What Ruiz and others said before the fight (insults included)
- Before the fight Ruiz said: “Anthony, don’t underestimate this little fat boy. I’m coming for you, just tune in man, you’re going down.”
- Ruiz was called a “fat slob” by legendary promoter Bob Arum…maybe Bob was pissed that Ruiz, left Bob’s promotional company and signed with Al Haymon from PBC.
- Taking the fight at just five weeks’ notice, Ruiz nicknamed “The Destroyer” has vowed to change his family’s life and ruin Joshua’s US debut – and looks to use his eye-catching speed to do so.
- “I think just the way I look. The extra flab that I carry, but we’ve been working on it since we fought Dimitrenko. After we got this fight right away, we didn’t want to lose much weight. I wanted to be strong. I actually gained five more pounds just to be a little stronger because Anthony’s a big guy. But now that I have this time, I just want to get in really good shape and look like a Mexican Anthony.”
- Andy Ruiz Jr was taunted by Anthony Joshua’s travelling fans at their weigh-in on Friday in New York.
- The British contingent chanted ‘Who are ya?’ and ‘You fat b****rd’ as the challenger walked to the stage before his final face-off with the champion before their fight.
- Andy Ruiz Jr: “A lot of people underestimate me, the way that I look, my appearance, but as soon as they see me throw punches… don’t underestimate this little fat boy. I’m coming for you, just tune in man, AJ is going down.”
Not only does Ruiz’s win qualify as the Upset of the Year thus far, but perhaps the greatest upset since James “Buster” Douglas defeated Mike Tyson back in February 1990.
Odds makers had Ruiz as a 20-1 underdog against Joshua. They couldn’t have been more wrong. Ruiz dominated in every facet of the game, rising from a third-round knockdown to drop Joshua four times in all, putting him away with two knockdowns in the seventh. It was an inspirational performance that will be remembered for ages. Ruiz Earned $7 Million and Joshua could earn as much as $25 Million for the fight. It was Ruiz, first big payday. A according to Eddie Hearn, Joshua’s promoter, there is a rematch clause in the contract and Ruiz next fight will most likely be the rematch against the British star, this time in England, said Hearn’s.
Andy Ruiz Bio and Upbringing
Born in Imperial, California, to Mexican immigrants, Andy Ruiz was bred to fight by his father. After accumulating a standout amateur record and a handful of national titles, “The Destroyer” turned pro in a quest to become boxing’s first heavyweight champion of Mexican descent.
Andy Ruiz Jr. was born to be a fighter—although he didn’t realize it at first. Baseball was young Andy’s passion. But his father, Andy Sr., had other plans. The elder Ruiz pushed his son into boxing, forcing him to give up baseball to study the sweet science daily.
Andy Sr.’s vision would come to fruition. Ruiz Jr. began his amateur career in Mexico, accumulating a 105-5 record and winning several national championships. Ruiz would go on to make it to the qualification stage for 2008 Olympics as part of the Mexican squad, although he ultimately fell short of making it the games.
Rather than continue his amateur career, Ruiz turned pro at 19. His first pro bout occurred in Tijuana, Mexico, on March 28, 2009. Ruiz would notch a first-round KO over Miguel Salvador Ramirez at the Plaza de Toros.
After two more bouts in Mexico (both wins), Ruiz made his U.S. pro debut on March 12, 2010, flattening Luke Vaughn in one round at the Gaylord Hotel in Grapevine, Texas. He continued his journey as a prize fighter with a record after his dazzling upset knock out win over Anthony Joshua to his current professional record of 33 wins, 1 defeat with 22 knockouts
