Ruiz, with a 33 – 1 record, was a replacement opponent who was called in five weeks’ before the match. Ruiz now has Joshua’s WBA, WBO, and IBF belts.
Joshua said after that the stoppage of the match in the seventh round was premature: “I want to fight…. I don’t do [the referee’s] job. I am never one of those fighters to disrespect a referee like he should have done this or he should have done that. He called it off when he thought I couldn’t fight. It’s a shame. But I don’t want anyone to drown in their sorrows. It’s the long game, not the short game.”
Joshua has also congratulated Ruiz on social media.
Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn has said his fighter would exercise an immediate rematch clause. He said:
“AJ got sloppy. It was a beautiful combination in the third round. He was in total control of the fight but he got sloppy and never recovered. Listen, tonight was his night but AJ will come back 100% and we will make the rematch in the UK in November or December. But this night now belongs to Andy Ruiz.
“AJ has the heart of a lion and will come back stronger. Now at least we know the opponent for the end of the year in the UK. Absolutely we will enact the immediate rematch. He will be devastated when it sinks in. It makes the fall fight a must win.”
Fans and spectators, however, could not suppress their emotions and took to social media to share their thoughts about the match. See some reactions below.
? Understandable that fans want to find a reason which 'explains' Anthony Joshua's defeat and allows it to be swept away, but in truth that's seldom ever how boxing works and only serves to discredit Andy Ruiz Jr. The man deserves full praise for his performance and achievement.
— Ring Magazine (@ringmagazine) June 3, 2019
???? Eddie Hearn has tonight denied multiple rumours that have been put forward as explanations for Anthony Joshua's defeat to Andy Ruiz Jr:
