Worrying Words From Anthony Joshua During Defeat To Andy Ruiz Jr.

A stunned Anthony Joshua was heard asking "Why am I feeling like this?" to his trainer, during a break between rounds in his shock World Heavyweight Championship loss to unfancied outsider Andy Ruiz Jr.

Joshua had Ruiz on the canvas early in round two, only for the Mexican-American challenger to come back and sit the 2012 Gold Medallist on his backside twice in the same round.

Ruiz had entered the contest as a 25/1 underdog with some bookies.

As Joshua went back to his corner after the fifth, he was caught by the TV mics asking his trainer, Rob McCracken: "What round is it?"

He also asked: "Why am I feeling like this?"

Joshua has faced adversity before, having come up from the canvas to win against Wladimir Klitschko in 2016, but there was to be no repeat on this occasion. Joshua was dropped again twice in the seventh before the referee waved off the contest, sealing one of the biggest upsets in boxing history.

Britain's boxing golden boy must now go away and contemplate his return to the top, with his promoter, Eddie Hearn, already telling media that they will exercise a rematch clause in the contract with Andy Ruiz that should see the pair square off again in the autumn, most likely in the UK.

"I just feel so good, man," said Ruiz after the fight. "This is what I have been dreaming about. This is what I have been working hard for. I can't believe I just made my dreams come true."

Ruiz, who was born in California but represents his Mexican heritage as a fighter, became the first heavyweight from Mexico to win the world title. He said: "It's because of the Mexican warrior I am. I have that Mexican blood in me. Talking about the Mexican fighting style, I just proved it."

He was only called up to fight at a few weeks' notice after the scheduled opponent for Joshua's US debut, Jarrell Miller, failed a drug test. Now, Ruiz finds himself as the unlikely fourth addition to the heavyweight division's Big Three.

The other two members of that club, Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder, announced this week that they will face off for a second time in early 2020 - now, it seems like any endgame showdown with Anthony Joshua is a long, long way away.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Anthony Joshua, Boxing

Mike Wood

Mike Meehall Wood is a freelance journalist and translator. He writes for LADbible, VICE and countless sports publications, focusing on rugby league, football and boxing. He is a graduate of Leeds University and maintains a fizzy pop obsession. Contact Mike at [email protected]