Andy Ruiz Jr sprung one of the biggest upsets in the history of the heavyweight division when he stunned
Anthony Joshua by seventh-round TKO on Saturday night at Madison Square Garden.
The 29-year-old came off the floor in the third round to drop Joshua twice before the end of the frame, then sent the Olympic champion to the canvas for a third and fourth time in the seventh round before referee Mike Griffin put a stop to the proceedings at the 1:27 mark.
“I just feel so good, man,” said an elated Ruiz, who became the first fighter of Mexican decent to win a heavyweight title. “This is what I have been dreaming about.
This is what I have been working hard for. I can’t believe I just made my dreams come true.”
The result left the announced sellout crowd of 20,201, many of whom flew from Britain to watch Joshua’s US debut, in shock.
Afterward Eddie Hearn, who promotes Joshua, said his fighter would exercise an immediate rematch clause following a shock that ranks alongside Buster Douglas v Mike Tyson and James Braddock v Max Baer in the history of
boxing upsets.