20 December, 2025, 12:34 pm Central - 26°C Rain

Andy Ruiz Jr first Mexican world heavyweight boxing champion

Andy Ruiz Jr first Mexican world heavyweight boxing champion

By Semi Turaga
03/06/2019
Andy “Destroyer” Ruiz Junior

The King has been dethroned.

Andy “Destroyer” Ruiz Junior is the new heavyweight boxing champion of the world after beating Britain’s Anthony Joshua through a technical knockout in Round 7 of their bout in Madison Square Garden in New York.

Ruiz is now the unified heavyweight champion and holds the IBF, WBA and WBO belts.

This is one of the biggest upsets in world sport as Ruiz was a late replacement after the initial challenger Jarrell Miller failed drug tests.

The win has been hailed as the biggest boxing upset since Buster Douglas beat Mike Tyson in 1990.

Ruiz is the first Mexican to be the heavyweight champion of the world and spoiled the long‑awaited US debut of Joshua by scoring four knockdowns in the fight.

Joshua never quite recovered from a pair of shocking knockdowns in Round 3 that took place shortly after he dropped Ruiz for the first time in his career.

Ruiz never backed down from there despite letting Joshua off the hook in Round 4 when it was clear both fighters were heavily fatigued.

Two knockdowns later in Round 7 and referee Michael Griffin called off the fight after asking Joshua if he was okay to continue.

Speaking after the fight, Ruiz said he wanted to hunt down Joshua  in the ring and show the Mexican style in him.

Ruiz wants a rematch with Joshua.

There was a rematch clause in the fight contract.

Anthony Joshua told Sky Sports  Andy Ruiz is a good fighter and he has a lot of respect for him but AJ will make a return.

This was Joshua’s first defeat in 23 fights.

Ruiz only had six weeks to prepare for the fight of his life and now he will have a lifetime to celebrate one of boxing's biggest stunners in heavyweight history.

People were expecting Joshua to win and set up more ambitious, lucrative bouts against the likes of Tyson Fury, Deontay Wilder and other potential opponents.

Wilder who holds WBC belt decided to give Luis Ortiz a rematch.

[Stuff.co.nz]

ADVERTISEMENT
Total - Hong Kong 7s

FNRL
FEATURE NEWS
Police arrest two men for attempted robbery in Tacirua this morning
The two men who attempted to rob a house in Tacirua this morning have been arrested and their vehicle have also been seized.Police say members of the ...
54 minutes ago
LATEST NEWS
Akshaye Khanna and Sunny Deol reunite after 29 years
Veteran actors Akshaye Khanna and Sunny Deol are reportedly reuniting for a Netflix project, nearly three decades after their memorable collaboration ...
17 minutes ago

LDS Church highlights importance of education for young people
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has highlighted the importance of education and self-reliance in preparing young people for ...
2 hours ago

Ra villages receive early Christmas boost with three new fishing boats
The villages of Nanukuloa, Naiserelagi and Barotu in Ra received an early Christmas gift following the handover of three new fishing boats by the ...
2 hours ago

Two drug-linked stalls identified in Nasinu as authorities crack down on red light zones
Two market vegetable stalls along Dabea Lane Nasinu have been identified between 2024 and 2025 as operating in red light zones, with both found ...
2 hours ago

Pending payments for personnel engaged in the 2025 National Examinations is finalized
Pending payments for all personnel engaged in the 2025 National Examinations, including coders, supervisors, and markers for years 8, 12, and 13 is ...
3 hours ago



Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH
Fiji needs to act on human trafficking indicators associated with Grace Road Group
The United States has expressed serious concern about human trafficking indicators linked to the Grace Road Group in Fiji, as highlighted in the 2025 ...
2 days ago

Human trafficking allegations and issues relating to Grace Road Group
Human trafficking allegations and concerns linked to the Grace Road Group/+ARTICLE-311061+ARTICLE/PM says Govt cannot interfere into any human ...
2 days ago

Sonia Shanaaz says silent treatment hurts as she waits for assistance for her daughter with cerebral palsy
Sonia Shanaaz, the mother of 10-year-old Aarna who was born with cerebral palsy, says silent treatment hurts after she reached out to the ...
8 days ago

TOP