Something was up with Joshua

[EdWins]

If anything, AJ simply made a very common mistake that a lot of big fighters make: Simply not taking the opponent seriously.

Its that simple. AJ (like the vast majority of us viewers) simply did not think Ruiz had a prayer in this fight.

Then he took a strong overhand right to the temple and jaw and the rest is history.

[Stinger1]

There was nothing wrong with him, he struggles with small guys. Struggled with Povetkin, struggled with Takam and to a lesser extent Parker. Ruiz applied good pressure to him and found it difficult. But if he gets Ruiz out of there after he knocked him down everyone would of praised AJ's patience and finishing ability.

He just got caught by a temple shot and never recovered. Simple as.

[ShoulderRoll]

He did look nervous. Maybe the occasion got to him (first fight in the U.S., the history of MSG, etc)

[joe strong]

Respect to Ruiz for the win. During the ring entrance he didn't seem too energized. I actually thought he didn't look that comfortable before & during the pre-fight announcements by Buffer. Ruiz looked sweaty & ready to go while Joshua looked dry. His demeanor was different than in the past. His first fight outside the UK & he ***** the bed. Ruiz beat the fight out of him. He looked like a fighter who didn't want to continue. So people can stop complaining Wilder got extra time against Ortiz because Griffin gave AJ a lot of time to recover. I don't see a Lennox Lewis type rebound after this fight. Lewis got Ko'd twice by one punch. He didn't get the fight beat out of him. He came back & rebounded with a huge KO win to regain his belts. Joshua got beat into submission by an aggressive fighter who showed no fear. Joshua never recovered after the 3rd round. He was pawing with his jab & never used his advantages. I would have to pick Fury & Wilder to beat him. Wilder may have completed obliterated him if they fought last night. It will be interesting to see if he can come back from that loss.

[KingHippo]

Lol!!!!!!!!!

[CauliflowerEars]

Well, I think some of what everyone is saying is probably true. Maybe less of something "mysterious" and more of just Andy Ruiz Jr having not only a better game plan, but more heart, more hunger, and more desire to be in a war or whatever was called for. They're right, it was his night for dreams to come true.

It seemed like Joshua didn't want a war, but wanted so badly for Ruiz to stay down. Conversely, getting knocked down or even hit hard, made Ruiz even more aggressive. When AJ would throw something hard, Ruiz would clapback quickly with some measure of a barrage. Suffice it to say, Joshua didn't enter the ring with a big enough heart nor found any during the bout. And whatever contributes to him getting gassed, he needs to deal with. I'm sure the embarrassing nature of being knocked down, along with the tenacious nature or Ruiz, on American soil, under the American spotlight, was mentally challenging him as well. He did show a boat load of class and dignity in losing, albeit a questionable hunger and warrior spirit. Maybe this loss does something to put a chip on his shoulder and add some grit to his psyche. Maybe opponents with the "nice guy" narrative work against him. We'll see where he goes from here.

Also it's good to see a thread sans all the obnoxious, distasteful, tactless behavior. I know many Brits on here make it difficult to take the high road, but I'm ashamed of some of what I see. Never thought I'd say it, but I saw a lot more decency, civility, and class from the YouTube gallery than the so-called boxing savants on NSB. Peace.

[donjigga11]

Yeah he looked odd, considering the size of the crowds he has boxed in front of I can't imagine it would be nerves or pressure getting to him, heard other people say he looked like a guy who had been beat up sparring. Who knows, but he looked pretty bad all round.

I heard that Joey Dawejko guy from Philly he used for sparring was giving him a lot of problems but his even shorter than Ruiz.