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'My punch damaged Anthony Joshua every time he's hit there, something rattles'

Anthony Joshua suffered a shock loss to Andy Ruiz Jr in 2019 - and the Mexican now believes one of his punches permanently damaged the heavyweight

[Andy Ruiz Jr ]

Andy Ruiz Jr shocked the world against Anthony Joshua(Image: Getty Images)

Anthony Joshua was the heavyweight champion of the world back in 2019 - until a relatively unknown boxer by comparison shocked the world.

Andy Ruiz Jr could hardly believe it himself at the time, but he defeated the British heavyweight king by technical knockout at Madison Square Garden in New York City to capture the unified WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, and IBO titles. He knocked the Watford fighter down three times before the referee waved off the fight, in one of the biggest upsets in the history of boxing.

Now, years down the line, the Mexican believes one of his punches has permanently changed Joshua. Speaking to VegasInsider, Ruiz Jr said: "A really good friend of mine, whos a doctor, told me after that shot to the temple he wasnt going to recover.

[Andy Ruiz Jr believes one of his punches permanently damaged Anthony Joshua]

Andy Ruiz Jr believes one of his punches permanently damaged Anthony Joshua(Image: Getty Images)

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"Every time he gets hit there, somethings going to rattle. I didnt believe it at the time, but after that we started seeing things change."

Ruiz Jr was positioned at the top of the heavyweight decision, but admits he was the architect of his own downfall: After I beat Joshua, I lost focus. I was all over the place and forgot I had the rematch."

Joshua was able to regain his belts in the rematch, but the damage had already been done. Ruiz Jr added: "Even out of shape I went 12 rounds, but if Id been in shape, I wouldve won it. Thats one of the biggest lessons of my career.

I was almost 300 pounds going into that fight.

[Andy Ruiz Jr ]

Andy Ruiz Jr lost the rematch with AJ(Image: Getty Images)

"We still went all 12 rounds. He hit me with good shots, but I didnt fall and I didnt quit. That shows the kind of heart Ive got.

Ruiz Jr has since shed the pounds and he's looking to conquer the heavyweights once again: I want to get a few fights in first and then go for one of the big names.

"I know I can beat these guys. I just need to get back in the mix properly.

And he's not the only boxing superstar looking to make a return to the ring - speaking on Tyson Fury, he added: "I think it was a good fight, especially after hed been out for a while.

"It was crazy because he was supposed to pick me for his return and ended up picking someone else.

"But looking at that fight, Im like, if I was in there, it wouldve been a whole different ball game. Thats what motivated me to get back in the best shape of my life.

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