Andy Ruiz stuns Anthony Joshua for heavyweight title

By Dan Gelston The Associated Press

5 years ago

Andy Ruiz gestures to fans after a heavyweight title boxing match against Anthony Joshua on Sat ... — Andy Ruiz gestures to fans after a heavyweight title boxing match against Anthony Joshua on Saturday, June 1, 2019, in New York. Ruiz won in the seventh round. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Andy Ruiz, right, punches Anthony Joshua during the third round of a heavyweight title boxing match Saturday, June 1, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Andy Ruiz celebrates after stopping British boxer Anthony Joshua during the seventh round of a heavyweight title boxing match Saturday, June 1, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

NEW YORK — Andy Ruiz flattened Anthony Joshua twice in the seventh round and capped one of boxing’s biggest upsets to win his share of the heavyweight championship Saturday night at Madison Square Garden.

Ruiz won it at 1:27 by TKO in the seventh round to become the surprise champ in a bout that had shades of Buster Douglas’ upset over Mike Tyson in 1990. Ruiz barely was on anyone’s heavyweight radar when he was summoned as a replacement to fight champion Joshua in front of a packed Garden.

Andy F—ING RUIZ JR. #JoshuaRuiz pic.twitter.com/bjjNhWlbTD

— DAZN USA (@DAZN_USA) June 2, 2019

All he did was dominate the British champion.

Ruiz knocked down Joshua twice in the third round and did it two more times in the seventh before referee Mike Griffin ended the fight.

He’s stepped in after fighting on April 20, when he stopped Alexander Dimitrenko. Jarrell Miller’s failed drug tests sent the challenger to the sideline.

Ruiz (33-1, 21 KO’s) seized the opportunity and made boxing history to win the WBA/IBF/WBO/IBO championships.