Anthony Joshua: I’ll Be The Greatest Of This Generation Despite Andy Ruiz Loss

Unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua says he will go down as the best fighter of his generation despite the fact he suffered a beating at the hands of Andy Ruiz last year. Joshua entered the fight an undefeated Olympic champion who held three of the four major heavyweight belts. Ruiz was the out-of-shape underdog who had taken the fight on short notice after Charles Martin failed several drug tests.

The Mexican shocked the world by upsetting the champ to score a seventh-round TKO victory. The Brit triggered his rematch clause and regained his titles a few months later. ‘AJ’ used his superior boxing skills to outpoint Ruiz over 12 rounds and re-establish himself as one of the best heavyweights on the planet.

Anthony Joshua reflects on Andy Ruiz defeat

Speaking to IFL TV Joshua took time out to reflect on his lone career loss and how it has motivated him to bounce back and fufil his potential by coming the greatest fighter of his generation.

“I got beat,” Joshua said. “I was shook. Everything that you saw in that fight was what I was going through. It’s tough. It’s a hard game. I got beaten to a pulp and I had to kind of pull myself back together. And that’s just how it went. And now they’re gonna see the rebirth of me because, you know, everyone writes me off in this boxing division. You know, everyone wants to write me off. But I believe that I will go down as, you know, this generation’s great.

“And that’s what I’m destined to do, so what I went through then … that’s what I went through. I got beaten up and I’ve gotta deal with it. You have to take it on the chin. That’s life. You know what I mean? You’ve gotta keep on moving forward, even when the whole world’s against you.” (Transcribed by Boxing Scene)

Do you think Anthony Joshua will become the greatest heavyweight of this generation?