Anthony Joshua has attracted scorn from rival Deontay Wilder after a shocking knockout loss to Andy Ruiz Jr at Madison Square Garden in New York.
Ruiz Jr was a late replacement following Jarrell Miller’s failed drugs test.
However, the US-born Mexican boxer spoiled the long-awaited U.S. debut of the unified boxing champion Joshua by knocking him down four times, before being declared winner via technical knockout in the seventh round.
Ruiz Jr (33-1, 22 KOs) therefore claimed Joshua’s IBF, WBA and WBO heavyweight belts.
Reacting, Wilder mocked Joshua, saying that the previously undefeated British boxer was not a “true champion”.
Taking to his Twitter handle after the fight, Wilder said, “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”
See tweet:
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
Another former heavyweight champion and fellow Brit, Tyson Fury however advised Joshua not to beat himself up over the loss, saying it was part of the sport.
He tweeted:
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
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