Dazed and confused

‘Why am I feeling like this?’

These were the words a disorientated and damaged Anthony Joshua managed to form shortly before he was stopped in his tracks by 25-1 outsider Andy Ruiz Jr. at New York’s iconic Madison Square Garden. What was supposed to be a ruthless statement of intent from the all-conquering Brit to the American public had turned into a nightmarish battering under the bright lights of the Big Apple.

The most alarming aspect of Joshua’s defeat was its nature. This was not a Buster Douglas 10th round flurry, or a Hasim Rahman Hail Mary. This was a systematic beat down of the unified heavyweight champion of the world. That it moved the enigmatic Tyson Fury to words of condolence for his longtime heavyweight rival speaks to the shockwaves generated by Ruiz’s performance. Deontay Wilder, the WBC champion upon whom Joshua had his sights firmly fixed before this bout, showed no such compassion. ‘His whole career consisted of lies, contradictions and gifts’ tweeted a seemingly gleeful Bronze Bomber in the aftermath.

Is Joshua the real deal?

All week the world’s media had been treated to insights into Joshua’s preparation for this fight – the detailed nutritional planning, meticulous video analysis, intense sparring sessions, strenuous strength and conditioning, focus on stretching and recovery during weekends… even the memory games designed to keep the mind sharp. ‘We are finally pulling it all together’ claimed a buoyant Joshua.

To no avail.

Belts stripped and aura of invincibility erased, it’s time for Joshua to remould himself.

There’s a rematch clause, of course. ‘This is all part of the story and the journey’ rationalised Joshua post-fight. All British boxing fans will be hoping that’s the case. Joshua’s oft-mentioned journey, though, had himself and his legions of fans hoping – expecting – that it would end with greatness, elevating him to a pantheon of esteemed heavyweights including the likes of Mike Tyson and Lennox Lewis. Make no mistake, in order for that to be the case Joshua has to bounce back from his first devastating defeat in emphatic fashion, just as the greats before him have done.

Until that point, British boxing fans will be left sharing Joshua’s feeling of confusion and unease.