Fijivillage
NEWS SPORTS IN DEPTH
16 April, 2026, 2:09 pm
Central - 25°C Rain
16 April, 2026, 2:09 pm Central - 25°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
Dignitaries gather at State House to pay tribute to Ratu Epeli
Government representatives, including Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, paid their final respects and signed the condolence book at the State House this...
40 minutes ago
LATEST NEWS
Family calls for full investigation into Labasa man’s death
A family is in mourning and calling on authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of their father, ...
33 minutes ago

Health services to improve after Navunikabi Nursing Station renovation
Health services in Navunikabi Village in Namosi are expected to be boosted following the completion of renovation works at the Navunikabi Nursing ...
2 hours ago

Suva Retailers Association urge businesses to temporarily close tomorrow to honour late Ratu Epeli Nailatikau
The Suva Retailers Association is calling on all its members and the wider business community in Suva to observe a temporary closure of businesses ...
2 hours ago

Madigibuli chooses to remain silent in alleged murder case
Apisai Madigibuli, who is alleged to have murdered his 25-year-old wife in 2024, has chosen to remain silent and will not give evidence or call any ...
3 hours ago

Mother raises safety concerns over faulty traffic lights in Nadi
A concerned mother is calling on authorities to urgently fix a faulty traffic light near Mount Saint Mary School in Nadi, saying it has not been ...
4 hours ago



Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH
Ratu Epeli Nailatikau's State Funeral
Ratu Epeli was a highly respected Fijian chief and a people’s President as many would remember him on many occasions walking on the streets of Suva ...
4 hours ago

TC Vaianu Coverage
The National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) is urging the public to remain alert, prepared, and watch out for one another as Tropical Cyclone ...
7 days ago

Citizens to oppose proposed TNG Waste-to-Energy incinerator in Saweni, Vuda
Serious concerns are being raised regarding a proposed Australian company's TNG Waste-to-Energy incinerator in Saweni, Vuda, and a group of concerned ...
7 days ago

TOP