It was a remarkable fight at New York’s Madison Square Garden, where Andy Ruiz 29, American born but with Mexican parents, floored Joshua four times during the course of a seventh-round stoppage, which stunned this famous arena and handed the Briton his first defeat as a professional. As Ruiz becomes Mexico’s first heavyweight world champion, just as he said he would.

After the loss, Anthony will now join the likes of mike Tyson and Lennox Lewis as dominant champions to suffer losses which brought the sport to a standstill.

“I got beaten by a good fighter,” said 29-year-old Joshua. “It will be interesting to see how far he goes, but this is all part of the journey.

“He’s a champion for now, I shall return.”