Andy Ruiz Jr knocked down Anthony Joshua a total of four times en route to a shocking 7th round TKO of the formerly undefeated champ.
Ruiz's powerful flurry of punches doomed Joshua, who couldn't defend and counter when the fight got dirty. Ruiz becomes the first Mexican heavyweight champion.
Ruiz actually went down first, in the 3rd round, after two uneventful rounds. Joshua connected with a stiff left and it looked like the end was near. But Ruiz, with nothing to lose as Joshua closed in for the kill, returned fire, and soon Joshua was on the canvas. Later in the 3rd round Joshua fell again, and nearly lost the fight at that point as he was somewhat unresponsive to the referee.
Over the next few rounds Joshua recovered. In the 4th round Ruiz did little as he was tired as well, and in the 5th and 6th Joshua got stronger, though at the end of the 6th Joshua kept his hands down as Ruiz punched him. But the 7th round started off well for Joshua as the fight seemed to be fully reset...until Ruiz countered a Joshua punch, then started a crazy flurry of punches that Joshua couldn't deal with. Joshua went down, and after another flurry AJ was down again. This time the referee didn't let Joshua, who turned him back to the ring in his corner, get away with not following instructions and the fight was stopped.
Unbelievably, Ruiz was a 20-1 underdog, which was insane. Even 5-1 seemed silly to me, as Ruiz has always been a big puncher -- as big as AJ -- and he takes a shot every bit as well as Joshua, too. Plus, he's always been a solid boxer. The only real difference between the two is physique, including height advantage, which alone makes AJ the favorite, but 3-1 or 4-1 was what I expected. The announcers are saying this is equivalent of Tyson vs. Buster Douglas, which is absolutely ridiculous. Everyone knew Anthony Joshua can be rocked, and he was facing a guy who can bang.
The bottom line, Andy Ruiz Jr. took things out of the boxing realm and into the fighting realm, and Ruiz has a flurry that ranks among the best the fight world has seen.
Here's how we scored the fight:
- Round One: Good exchanges early, Ruiz backing Joshua up, with occasional jabs from Joshua. Both miss on big shots, Joshua connects with good jabs; 10-9 Joshua.
- Round Two: Good start by Ruiz with combo. Most of round dull as Joshua stays at distance; good counters by Joshua at end. Pretty even round 10-10; 20-19 Joshua.
- Round Three: AJ has a good counter near the start; big uppercut knocks Andy Ruiz down!! Joshua tries to close the deal, but Ruiz knocks Joshua down!! Joshua looks worse than Ruiz on his feet. Ruiz big flurry has Joshua on ropes and down again!! Bell saves Joshua, who looks totally out of it. Ruiz 10-8; Ruiz 29-28.
- Round Four: Big shots early from both. Ruiz walking AJ down but not doing much. AJ still looks weak, Ruiz should be pressing him but he might be tired too. Not much going on this round. 10-10, Ruiz 39-38.
- Round Five: Joshua recovering more, but still not back in rhythm. Ruiz not pressing. AJ connects with huge punch late, probably wins round. 10-9 Joshua; 48-48.
- Round Six: Good exchange at start, both fighters looking stronger now. Ruiz more aggressive, hitting Joshua...Joshua with hands down, egging Ruiz on and getting hit! Not smart, his corner won't like that. AJ is in danger of losing the fight by KO or by the cards if he does that again. Ruiz 10-9, 58-57
- Round Seven: More stalking by Ruiz, Joshua moving head well now with hands up (corner probably complained!) Joshua tags Ruiz Ruiz returns fire, connects with huge flurry of punches Joshua down again!!! Joshua back up. AJ gets in a few stiff punches Ruiz looks dazed but comes alive again with crazy flurry of punches and AJ is down for the 4th time!! Joshua goes back to corner and the fight is stopped! Ruiz is the winner!
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