British boxer Tyson Fury became the toast of millions on social media after his message of encouragement to his Nigerian-born compatriot Anthony Joshua who was unexpectedly defeated Mexican fighter Andy Ruiz Jnr in their title unification match on Sunday morning.
In what will go down as one of the most shocking upsets in the history of boxing, Anthony Oluwafemi Joshua suffered his first ever loss in professional boxing, losing his WBA, WBO and IBF titles to Ruiz who had just five weeks notice after a late arrangement saw him replace Joshua’s challenger Jarrell Miller.
Joshua was defeated in a Technical Knockout (TKO) in the seventh round, an outcome that has seen a lot of the British boxer’s critics come out to slate him. However, Fury who until Sunday has been one of Joshua’s potential opponents took to his Twitter page to encourage the 29-year old.
“We have our back and Forth’s but @anthonyfjoshua changed his stars through life.
“Heavyweight boxing, these things happen, rest up, recover, regroup and come again,” Fury wrote on his handle.
While Fury was playing the big brother role for Joshua, WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder was having none of that has the American used the occasion to voice his spiteful thoughts about Joshua.
“He wasn’t a true champion. His whole career was consisted of lies, contradictions and gifts. Facts and now we know who was running from who!!!!” wrote Wilder on his Twitter handle @Bronzebomber while adding the hashtag #TilThisDay
After Sunday’s loss, it is expected that Joshua will seek a rematch against Ruiz later this year in London courtesy of a clause inserted in the contract for this fight.
