Andy Ruiz Jr. shocks the world stopping Anthony Joshua in round 7

Anthony Joshua was supposed to intoxicate the U.S. with his performance against Andy Ruiz Jr. Instead, he was humiliated in front of the world.

Anthony Joshua vs. Andy Ruiz Jr. was ridiculed to a certain degree. Ruiz Jr. replaced Jarrell ‘Big Baby’ Miller after he tested positive for multiple PEDs. Ruiz’ Jr.’s soft body compared to Joshua’s chiseled 6-foot-6 frame made this heavyweight title contest look like a mismatch. Apparently, looks really are deceiving.

Before the fight, American and British fans united in a sing-along of “Sweet Caroline.” Enthusiasm and anticipation were high in the fan-filled Madison Square Garden. The fans set the tone for a great fight, but they couldn’t have realized the fireworks that were about to take place or the unbelievable end to this heavyweight story.

At the start of round 1, Ruiz took the center of the ring and let his hands go more than usual. Ruiz landed a left hook which was the first good punch landed. Joshua was calm and overly cautious. Ruiz took the first round with his activity.

Ruiz timed Joshua with a right hand early in round 2. Joshua relied on the jab to maintain distance. Ruiz’s left eye started to swell due to an accumulation of jabs, but he countered Joshua’s attacks well. He surprised a lot of people with his performance through two rounds.

In round 3, Joshua continued to circle Ruiz on the outside, and then he struck. He nailed Ruiz with a left hook in the first minute that sent Ruiz down. Ruiz got to his feet and took another straight right to the face, but then a miracle happened. Ruiz knocked Joshua down!

Joshua tried to close the show on Ruiz, but Ruiz countered with a swinging right that caught Joshua on the top of his head, and his legs gave out from under him. The 15-1 underdog dropped him to the ground.

Ruiz staggered Joshua again with a right hand and dropped a shaky Joshua with a jab. He made it to his feet an survived the remainder of the round.

Joshua’s legs looked terrible to start round 4, but Ruiz had to pace his efforts. He continued to push Joshua back and scored throughout the round. Ruiz couldn’t follow-up on the damage he caused in the third round, but did enough to add more points to his total.

Joshua tried to land the right hand in the opening of the fifth,  but Ruiz kept him off with the threat of his left hook. Joshua’s physical and mental state seemed improved, but his hands were quiet except for the last 30 seconds.

He tried to mount an offensive but didn’t land anything that hurt Ruiz. Ruiz walked through Joshua’s power.

Joshua looked rejuvenated to start round 6. His jab thumped Ruiz’s face which looked lumpy and fatigued. Ruiz continued to press Joshua, but Joshua gave up less ground. Ruiz smothered his punches but intelligently went downstairs in the last minute. Joshua started the round strong, but Ruiz finished with combinations to the body and head.

Only 30 seconds into round 7, Ruiz and Joshua exchanged left hooks. Ruiz got the better of it, and Joshua’s legs were shot. Ruiz pounced on him, and Joshua fell to the canvas to avoid further punishment. He got up but looked distressed. In reality, he was scared. Fear was his biggest enemy, and it got the better of him.

Ruiz realized how badly damaged Joshua was physically and psychologically. He attacked Joshua with wild lefts and rights. Joshua ducked his head, and Ruiz pushed him down with a cuffing hand. Joshua hit the canvas for the fourth and final time.

Joshua got to his feet, but he spit out his mouthpiece, which was more like a white flag of surrender. He backed into his corner as referee Michael Griffin asked him if he wanted to continue. He was slow in answering, and the Griffin waved off the fight. Ruiz won by seventh-round TKO. He’s the new WBO, WBA, IBF, and IBO heavyweight champion of the world.

This is the most significant heavyweight boxing upset since Mike Tyson lost to James ‘Buster’ Douglas back in 1990. Ruiz defied the 15-1 odds against him and stopped the man most regarded as the most dangerous heavyweight in the world. Hearn stated after the fight that he plans to end the year with a Ruiz vs. Joshua rematch. Ruiz is the new champion, and the world is left wondering if the outcome was a fluke, or if Joshua’s dominance was a figment of our imaginations.