In one of the most stunning upsets in heavyweight boxing history, Nigerian-British Anthony Joshua lost his hard-earned world titles to the man who took the fight at just five weeks’ notice, having replaced Jarrell Miller after his failed drugs tests.
Anthony Joshua was thumped to the canvas four times, spitting out his gumshield and holding himself upright on the ropes.
Joshua even asked his corner man “Why am I feeling like this?” during the catastrophic defeat.
No one gave the overweight Ruiz a chance, but despite looking out of shape the Mexican-American dominated the fight before it was stopped in the seventh round.
Joshua insisted he will bounce back.
After the fight he said: “It’s an upset, it’s unexpected. I was the favourite.
“One shot hit me on the top of the dome and rattled me a bit. I tried to stay in there a few more rounds but the better man won.
“I don’t underestimate anyone. He’s a decent puncher, a decent fighter. He was the better man.
AJ fought the unknown Ruiz rather than the likes of Wilder, Fury, Whyte or Ortiz and was made to pay the price
“I’ll tidy up, brush off the cobwebs and go again. But it’s a minor setback.
“Trust me, where I was at in life, I’ve dealt with more s*** than this, with some real big losses, and bounced back.
“If I was to look at my setbacks back then, then I would have been f*****. I didn’t. I kept my head strong, fought like a champion, and bounced back.”
Fans expect there will be a rematch at Wembley in December but Joshua admitted he didn’t know if a rematch clause had been included in the fight contract.
He said: “I didn’t even ask about a rematch clause because I was so confident I was going to win. If it’s there, we’ll go again and I’ll get the titles back. I’m going to beat him up.”
His promoter Eddie Hearn confirmed however that a rematch was on the cards.
How much money has Joshua made in boxing?
Joshua is thought to have pocketed £15million alone from the Wembley super-fight with Wladimir Klitschko.
His world title fight against Parker saw him earn £13m, while the Brit is expected to take home a cool £20m.
And some experts have claimed his earning potential is bigger than that of Floyd Mayweather.
Career highlights?
Joshua went into the London 2012 Olympics as a world silver medallist.
In the final he won Olympic gold against reigning champion Roberto Cammarelle on a countback after drawing on points (18-18).
Since turning professional in July 2013, when he signed a deal with Matchroom Boxing, his record stands at 21-0.
Joshua won the British heavyweight title in 2015 after knocking out Dillian Whyte in the 7th round.
And in April 2016 he knocked out Charles Martin in the second to clinch the IBF heavyweight championship, which he still holds today.
Then, in front 90,000 people at Wembley Stadium – the biggest post-war British crowd – Joshua climbed off the canvas to stop Wladimir Klitschko in the 11th round of an absolute classic.
He beat the Ukrainian legend to collect the WBA and IBO titles, before adding the WBO belt to his collection in the victory over Parker in March.
When did Joshua make his debut?
AJ made his debut just three months after turning professional, and amid huge fanfare, he destroyed his opponent.
Italian Emanuele Leo lasted just 2mins 47secs of the fight at the O2 Arena London, before referee Ian John Lewis waved the fight off.
To be fair to Leo, he actually lasted longer than some of Joshua’s other opponents who have hit the canvas early doors. Joshua has beaten five boxers inside the first round, only going the distance once – against New Zealand’s Parker.
Who is he dating?
According to Joshua himself, he doesn’t have a lot of time for girlfriends, and may not see himself settling down until his boxing career is over.
“If people can ride with me for the next 10 to 12 years I would really appreciate it, but if they can’t foresee the future I’d rather they jump off the boat because I can’t stop for no one right now,” he told the Evening Standard.
“I was speaking to my coach, who worked with Carl Froch who had a 12-year career. One day it does finish and now he has all the time in the world to think about business, family.”
Anthony Joshua has a two-year-old son, Joseph, from a previous relationship
Who has he dated?
AJ was most recently seen with supermodel Bella Hadid, as the two met at the GQ awards last May.
He reportedly exchanged flirty messages with the 21-year-old, but nothing concrete transpired after that.
The mother of his son is Nicole Osborne, a pole dancing teacher who has been Joshua’s on-off lover since the two were at school.
He has been linked with Cara Delevingne and Rita Ora in the past – but the heavyweight remains single and focused on boxing.
How many children does he have?
It was revealed last year, after his title winning victory over Charles Martin, that Joshua had had a child with Osborne.
His son, Joseph Bayley Temiloluwa Prince Joshua was born on October 6, 2015.
AJ bought a £500,000 flat in Finchley, north London for his two-year-old son and ex-girlfriend.
Courtesy: Thesun.co.uk