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Former two-weight world champion Carl Frampton has questioned Anthony Joshua ’s magnanimous reaction to his shock defeat by Andy Ruiz Jr .
The new champion had only been installed as his challenger with little over a month's notice after a suspension for Joshua's previous opponent Jarrell Miller had ruled him out, and he had also lost his only previous world title fight, in 2016 to Joseph Parker, who had since gone on to lose his undefeated record to Joshua.
When he then suffered the first knockdown of his career in the third round the routine outcome that had been expected appeared imminent, but Ruiz Jr not only responded with two swift knockdowns, he caused one of the greatest upsets in heavyweight history with two more before victory in the seventh.
After his defeat, Joshua tweeted a picture of himself with Ruiz after the fight with the message: “This is Andy's night, congratulations Champ” as his three world title belts were taken away.
And both Frampton and former heavyweight world champion David Haye have criticised Joshua’s reaction to losing his world titles.
Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in picturesShow all 38 1 /38Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in pictures Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in pictures Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr Michael Buffer introduces the two boxers inside Madison Square Garden.
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Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in pictures Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr Oleksandr Usyk watches on from ringside as he seeks a potential future shot at Anthony Joshua.
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Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in pictures Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr James Corden and Jamie Redknapp were two of many famous faces in attendance at the Garden.
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Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in pictures Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr Anthony Joshua prepares for his world title defence against Andy Ruiz Jr
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Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in pictures Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr Joshua made a cagey start as he attempted to work out Ruiz.
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Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in pictures Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr The first round saw little of note as the two showed caution.
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Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in pictures Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr Joshua tried to assert the jab put stayed out of range of Ruiz's left hook.
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Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in pictures Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr Ruiz showed enough to worry Joshua though as he kept the defending champion honest.
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Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in pictures Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr Despite the towering difference in size...
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Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in pictures Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr ...Ruiz refused to walk away from the challenge.
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Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in pictures Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr But after finding his range, Joshua started to exert his dominance in the third.
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Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in pictures Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr A thunderous right hand connected with Ruiz early in the round.
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Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in pictures Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr The fight changed completely 45 seconds into the third round.
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Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in pictures Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr Joshua knocked Ruiz down early in the third round.
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Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in pictures Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr The Mexican-American looked to be heading out of the fight as he staggered back to his feet.
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Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in pictures Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr Miraculously, Ruiz managed to stay in the fight after the knockdown.
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Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in pictures Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr But Ruiz stunned everyone when he sent Joshua to the canvas in the same round.
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Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in pictures Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr Joshua looked as shocked as everyone else at the sudden resurgence.
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Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in pictures Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr When Joshua was put down for a second time in the third round, the champion was close to an early exit.
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Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in pictures Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr The unthinkable looked to be turning into reality as Joshua just beat the count before the bell.
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Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in pictures Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr The defending champion needed all of the time afforded to him to recover.
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Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in pictures Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr Joshua was able to regain his composure and see through rounds four, five and six.
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Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in pictures Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr But he was floored again in the seventh and this time Ruiz went for the kill.
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Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in pictures Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr When he went down for the second time in the seventh, the end was nigh.
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Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in pictures Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr Joshua was in big trouble after taking a flurry of punches.
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Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in pictures Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr Referee Mike Griffin ordered a jubilant Ruiz to the neutral corner.
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Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in pictures Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr Joshua had to use the ropes to get back to his feet.
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Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in pictures Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr Griffin's count continued as Joshua tried to recover.
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Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in pictures Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr Joshua did not respond to the referee's commands, leading to the fight being waved off.
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Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in pictures Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr Griffin waved it off as Joshua did not walk out to him when ordered to.
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Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in pictures Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr Joshua reflects on his first defeat of his career.
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Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in pictures Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr Eddie Hearn confirmed they will seek a rematch for Anthony Joshua against Andy Ruiz Jr
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Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in pictures Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr Ruiz was delighted with the victory as he jumped in the middle of the ring.
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Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in pictures Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr Ruiz celebrates with his team.
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Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in pictures Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr Ruiz became the first Mexican heavyweight world champion
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Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in pictures Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr The A-listers at ringside could barely believe what had happened.
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Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in pictures Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr But Ruiz had done the unthinkable to become unified heavyweight champion.
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Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in pictures Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr Joshua paid tribute to Ruiz before leaving the ring.
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Frampton said: “You talk about people being good losers. It's nice to be gracious and shake someone's hand. But it's a little bit too nice this for me.
“If you lose a fight, you should be absolutely heartbroken, you should be raging with yourself, you should be absolutely gutted. I'm not seeing that.”
Haye replied: “I know Carl, I know myself, I know when I go into the ring, I'm willing to die in the ring.
“You only have to watch my fights over the years to know I'd rather get stretchered out than not continue.”
Frampton then added: “People talk about bad losers, especially with kids throwing a tantrum. I like to see that because it means they wanted to win.
“This is a completely bizarre scenario. There are too many smiles here for me.” PA.
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