Reactions to Ruiz’s Upset of Joshua
Andy Ruiz Jr. made history as a major underdog on June 1, becoming the first Mexican heavyweight champion with a seventh-round TKO of Anthony Joshua.
Andy F—ING RUIZ JR. #JoshuaRuiz pic.twitter.com/bjjNhWlbTD
— DAZN USA (@DAZN_USA) June 2, 2019
The shocking upset sparked reactions from various figures across combat sports, including some of Joshua’s rival heavyweights.
WBC Heavyweight Champion Deontay Wilder mocked Joshua’s title reign, while Dillian Whyte shared a link to a YouTube video of a song by British band The Verve entitled “The Drugs Don’t Work.”
He wasn’t a true champion. His whole career was consisted of lies, contradictions and gifts.
Facts and now we know who was running from who!!!!#TilThisDay— Deontay Wilder (@BronzeBomber) June 2, 2019
— Dillian Whyte (@DillianWhyte) June 2, 2019
One rival heavyweight, however, did offer encouragement — Tyson Fury. Fury recently announced he’s signed to face Wilder in a future WBC Championship rematch.
We have our back and Forth’s but @anthonyfjoshua changed his stars through life. heavyweight boxing, these things happen, rest up, recover, regroup and come again 👊🏼
— TYSON FURY (@Tyson_Fury) June 2, 2019
Unified middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez congratulated a now fellow Mexican boxing champion in Ruiz, as did Irish-born UFC superstar Conor McGregor.
Viva Mexicooooo 🇲🇽 felicidades Andy me da muchísimo gusto ver a alguien con determinación triunfar 👏🏻👊🏻
— Canelo Alvarez (@Canelo) June 2, 2019
I know first hand the toughness of the Mexican chin.
They come up off the floor like something out of thriller.
It is never over until it’s over with the Mexicans.
God bless them.
Congrats Andy Ruiz. pic.twitter.com/8Vquwjny6z— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) June 2, 2019
A fellow UFC lightweight in Dustin Poirier, the interim UFC lightweight champion, sent a message to undisputed champion Khabib Nurmagomedov. The two are rumored to clash in the main event of UFC 242.
Every dog has his day!@TeamKhabib
— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) June 2, 2019
Some boxing legends, namely George Foreman and Oscar De La Hoya, provided their own analysis into what happened to Joshua and this fight. Meanwhile, Lennox Lewis could only express shock at what had transpired.
The difference was the “Chin”
— Oscar De La Hoya (@OscarDeLaHoya) June 2, 2019
As they say “don’t believe the hype”
Take anyone for granted and you lose. You walk around in a daze. Not cause you lose, but cause you believed all the print https://t.co/wYSFp4Rwcz— George Foreman (@GeorgeForeman) June 2, 2019
I don’t even know what to say right now! 😦 #JoshuaRuiz
— Lennox Lewis (@LennoxLewis) June 2, 2019
This whole thing has me thinking of a quote by the great Marvin Hagler: “It's tough to get out of bed to do roadwork at 5am when you've been sleeping in silk pajamas” #JoshuaRuiz
— Teddy Atlas (@TeddyAtlasReal) June 2, 2019
Undisputed female middleweight champion Claressa Shields, who was present at the event, expressed sorrow for her now former fellow champion getting stopped for the first time. WBA (Super) Super Featherweight Champ Gervonta Davis, like many others, expressed his own take of being stunned at the result.
I’m 💔 for @anthonyfjoshua ! Wow.
— ClaressaT-rexShields (@Claressashields) June 2, 2019
ZaMnNnN J0sHuA GoT sTopPeD?!!😧
— Gervonta Davis (@Gervontaa) June 2, 2019
Following the upset, DAZN’s USA Twitter account posted a photo of Joshua posing with rapper Drake, expressing that “The curse is real.” This is in reference to a trend in recent sports history that says any player or team supported by Drake goes on to lose in major events.
Upon seeing this, promoter Lou DiBella quipped none of his fighters would be allowed to be alongside the award-winning recording artist.
None of my fighters can go near @Drake. Writing it into my bout agreements. #boxing https://t.co/cppx0UvBjO
— Lou DiBella (@loudibella) June 2, 2019
As for Ruiz, despite enjoying the moment of leaving his mark in boxing history, he had a message for promoter Eddie Hearn.
@EddieHearn who is next??
— AndyRuizjr (@Andy_destroyer1) June 2, 2019