Anthony Joshua will get the chance to win back his world titles in a rematch against Andy Ruiz Jr later this year.
Ruiz Jr stunned the boxing world as he became the first man to beat Joshua in a professional contest, taking the Briton’s IBF, WBA (Super) and WBO heavyweight titles on an extraordinary night at Madison Square Garden.
Joshua floored Ruiz in the third but was then put down twice himself in the same round before the challenger ended the contest in the seventh.
Speaking after the fight, Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn confirmed a rematch clause, suggesting Joshua will return to the UK to fight Ruiz again before the end of the year.
"We'll make the rematch in the UK in November/December, but tonight is all about Andy Ruiz.
"Now we'll see what AJ is about. He's got the heart of a lion, I'm sure he'll come back. Now we know what fight is next, and we'll see a huge rematch at the end of the year.
"Maybe this is what he needs. He'll have another shot at Ruiz later but he needs to win, it's a must win fight for him now.
"Andy Ruiz will believe he can win the rematch, AJ"s got to come back stronger, let the fire build inside him.”
