Anthony Joshua blasted by fans for ‘giving up’ and ‘lacking chin’ in shocking Andy Ruiz loss
ANTHONY JOSHUA was slammed by boxing fans for “giving up” against Andy Ruiz Jr – who scored a modern day sporting upset.
Joshua was on the deck FOUR times on his US debut at Madison Square Garden before the referee halted proceedings in round seven believing the Brit superstar could not continue.
AJ was left in a heap of control by the seventh but was still standing as the ref called a halt to the fight as the former champ stood in the neutral corner.
The now ex-heavyweight champ, who was smiling for pics after the fight, was slated on Twitter, with some saying the Watford ace “quit” while others branded the loss “embarrassing”.
One said: “Anthony Joshua really gave up!”
Another said: “Anthony Joshua literally quit..”
One added: “Anthony Joshua out there taking pics/chillin like he didn’t just quit/get his ass busted.”
Another added: “Joshua found out big time,embarassing to say the least.”
WBC champ Deontay Wilder, who has been linked with a fight against Joshua for two years, also criticised the loss, and AJ’s whole career. Wilder tweeted: 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!!!!”
However, Joshua’s countrymen and longtime rival Tyson Fury took the opposite approach, offering AJ well wishes on his return after the shock loss.
Most Read in Boxing
Fury 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.”
Promoter Eddie Hearn revealed Joshua will exercise his rematch clause against Ruiz and face the newly crowned champ in the UK in November or December.