Anthony Joshua hits out at two-faced ‘industry friends’ who ‘were ready to stab him in the back’ after Andy Ruiz Jr loss

ANTHONY JOSHUA has hit out at two-faced “industry friends” who were ready to stab him in the back after he lost his belts to Andy Ruiz Jr.

AJ was left fighting for his career in December as he fought Ruiz again six months after being floored four times on the way to a round seven stoppage defeat, that cost him the unified belts.

The Brit star hints he had problems going into his first fight with the Mexican-American, who replaced drug banned Jarrell Miller on seven-weeks notice.

But the 30-year-old was then left with trust issues after his shocking loss, revealing disloyal pals in the boxing business were ready to turn their back on him as his unbeaten heavyweight aura was lost.

Joshua told DAZN: “I had my own issues going on, that I said I would explain one day. So I just took my loss like a man.

“But what I found is that a lot of my industry friends that were smiling in my face were ready to stab me in the back when I took my loss.”

Joshua slimmed down and expertly outboxed Ruiz in their Saudi Arabia rematch in December, despite some nervy moments, to reclaim his gold in a career-defining victory.

Ruiz has since called for a trilogy decider, after losing focus before the rematch which AJ reckons he only lost two rounds in.

Joshua said: “It was a one-sided fight. A classic display of the sweet science of hit and don’t get hit.

“Take the belt with ease and get back on the gravy train.

“Andy couldn’t keep up, he couldn’t move his feet, couldn’t throw his hands fast enough to keep up with me.

“I think I won 11 out of 12 rounds if I was to be generous. I made history.”