Andy Ruiz's Stunned Boxing Fans With Famous KO Victory Over Anthony Joshua On This Day 2 Years Ago

Andy Ruiz's Stunned Boxing Fans With Famous KO Victory Over Anthony Joshua On This Day 2 Years Ago

- Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr's fight remains one of the biggest upsets in the history of boxing

- The Mexican-American scored a seventh-round knockout and became the undisputed heavyweight champion on this day 2 years ago

- Joshua's excellent winning streak was halted as he lost of all his his belts in first fight with the Texas-raised fighter

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Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr's first fight is arguably one of the biggest upsets in boxing's history just as the Mike Tyson and James Buster Douglas' clash in 1989.

The British heavyweight was suppose to be a walk over his opponent in his first fight outside the United Kingdom.

However, the underdog scored a knockout victory which stunned 8,000 travelling British fans at the MGM Arena in Las Vegas.

Joshua's rise to prominence in the sport began when he defeated fellow Brit and Common Wealth champion Dillian Whyte to become the hottest British heavyweight fighter.

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Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr: The biggest upset in boxing's history
Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr is a fight that remains in boxing's history as the biggest upset. Photo by Timothy A Clary
Source: Getty Images

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The Nigerian-born fighter then scored a second round knockout over American Charles Martin to become the IBF champion.

After that, Joshua took another giant step as he challenged Wladmir Klitschko for the WBA strap which he won in ecstatic fashion following a ninth-round stoppage.

WBO champion Joseph Parker was next and a unanimous point victory over the New Zealander added a third strap to AJ's collection.

After getting past WBA's number one challenger Alexander Povetkin led to his much-anticipated visit into the United States.

Jarrel Miller was on the cards to fight the knockout artist from Watford but the American failed a drug test and handed a golden opportunity for undercard Andy Ruiz Jr, was arranged.

With less than two weeks to the fight, it was expected to be a stateside showcase with the WBA, IBO and IBF belts on the line.

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The first and second rounds were in Joshua's favour while the Mexican-American hit the canvass in third but was saved by the bell.

Ruiz came back stronger in the seventh to score a knockout win and recorded a famous victory over the English fighter.

Six months later, a rematch was staged in Saudi Arabia and Joshua reclaimed all of his belts but Ruiz's victory would remain in the archives of boxing as the biggest underdog upset.

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Meanwhile, Legit.ng had earlier reported that Anthony Joshua has been ordered by the WBO to fight mandatory challenger Oleksandr Usyk as his much-anticipated bout with Tyson Fury could be called off, Sky Sports.

The boxing organization have stated to AJ's promoter Eddie Hearne should finalize the terms of agreement or face a penalty in the next ten days or May 31.

The 33-year-old also risks losing his WBO belt if he fails to challenge the highly Ukrainian who outclassed Derrick Chisora on his heavyweight debut.

Source: Legit.ng

Authors:
Akan Anwankwo avatar

Akan Anwankwo Akan Anwankwo is a sports editor, a graduate of English Language and Literature Studies at the University of Lagos. He's passionate about what he does and finds fulfillment in informing readers.