By Victor Salazar
New York - Last Saturday night, Andy Ruiz (33-1, 22 KO’s) shook up the sports world when he upset Anthony Joshua (22-1, 21 KO’s) in front of a large crowd in New York’s Madison Square Garden.
Not many people gave Ruiz a shot in what was supposed to be Joshua’s coming out party in the United States.
But like they say in the heavyweight division things can change in an instant on one punch. Joshua dropped Ruiz in the third round. Ruiz got up and returned the favor twice, in the same round, and did it two more times in the seventh - causing the referee to stop the fight.
Promoter Lou DiBella, who is very close with WBC world champion Deontay Wilder, states that although he didn’t pick Ruiz to win, he knew it was a tough fight for Joshua
"I always believed [it was tough], but I never thought that Ruiz could win the fight,” DiBella told BoxingScene.com.
"I did believe he was very skilled and was a very difficult opponent. I always thought that he had a chance to make AJ look bad. Not only did he make AJ look bad he beat him up. Boxing’s long history and backbone has been built off underdogs and their stories. It’s a great story for boxing and people of Mexican descent.”
Where does Joshua go from here? According to DiBella, it’s time for Joshua to find out what he’s really made of.
“Now its gut check time for AJ and to regain the grab he had on the heavyweight championship,” stated DiBella.
“We’re probably going to see Fury-Wilder 2. But it will be interesting to see Joshua return from this. I’m fascinated by the rematch between Ruiz and Joshua. Andy Ruiz makes you want to watch and he’s a cult figure. Andy Ruiz gives hopes to us guys that could use 20 pounds. He gives fat guys like us hope, it’s our time.”
DiBella feels the heavyweight division has two mega fights on the horizon and the winners of those can make even more mega-fights.
“Eddie saying AJ was right [in the head] and others are saying he wasn’t. It’s relevant, the better guy won. He won. Thank god it didn’t go to the judges because it was way too close. Ruiz keeps winning he’s going to be in a mega fight whether it’s AJ 2 or get Wilder or Fury - but I think the best two heavyweights are Fury and Wilder. But Andy Ruiz can fight his ass off.”
