Amir Khan warns Anthony Joshua he is making ‘worst mistake’ by taking immediate Andy Ruiz Jr rematch after shock MSG loss

AMIR KHAN has warned Anthony Joshua he is making the “worst mistake” by taking an immediate rematch against Andy Ruiz Jr.

Joshua’s US debut went up in smoke at the hands of 25-1 underdog Ruiz.

But the Brit hero, 29, will get his crack at redemption in November or December, his promoter Eddie Hearn revealed.

Bolton hero Khan - who also suffered a stoppage loss at New York’s Madison Square Garden - believes Joshua needs at least two more wins before facing his conqueror again.

Khan, 32, said: “When I heard he was jumping straight back into a rematch I thought it was the worst mistake he could make.

“First of all Ruiz is going to be full of confidence going into this fight, you’ve got Joshua who is going to be a little bit on edge and back foot knowing he can be hurt and put down.

“I just think it’s a very bad fight to take back to back - I can’t believe Eddie is going to put him in the mix with him straight away.

“What he needs is a nice easy knockout win, maybe two, and then get the fight back again.”

I just think it’s a very bad fight to take back to back - What he needs is a nice easy knockout win

Amir Khan on AJ's rematch with Andy Ruiz Jr

Joshua was on his hands and knees four times before being stopped in seven rounds by the 19st Snickers loving underdog.

Khan urged Joshua to avoid entering the rematch with “emotions high” having himself been a victim of knockout losses while over zealously looking for the stoppage.

He said: “I think Anthony Joshua in the rematch should come back stronger and obviously see where he made his mistakes and beat him.

“I think he’s a better fighter all round, he just got caught with a shot - it’s boxing.

“When you go into a fight with your emotions high you make mistakes automatically. You want to prove a point.

“For example when I fought (Danny) Garcia, when I fought guys and emotionally I’ve gone in there trying to do a number and fighting with my heart - and that’s where you get hurt.

“What happens if he gets beaten again? What will people say about him? He needs to rebuild his career again and go from there.”

No one gave chubby Mexican-American a prayer before he upset the applecart and scored the greatest heavyweight upset since Mike Tyson was KO’d by James “Buster” Douglas 30 year ago.

And Khan was also one of those doubters, remembering time spent training with the new unified champion at Freddie Roach’s California gym.

After Joshua’s embarrassing defeat Khan has warned the 6ft 6in ace to expect being shunned by friends and sponsors - just like he was after losing to Breidis Prescott in 2008.

Khan added: “I remember Andy from the Wild Card gym when I used to train there - there was a few old videos from Youtube where you can see me in the background screaming when I’m throwing my shots.

“I do remember him - never, ever, thought he’d be one to beat our world champion Anthony Joshua.

“We all thought Anthony was going to blow this guy away.

“With me I lost friends, friends who were big supporters of mine turned around and said I was finished.

“People stop answering the phone, the big contracts leave you - I had big contracts with Reebok, who paid me a lot of money, and they washed their hand and said ‘See you later’.

“Boxing is the hardest sport and the brutalist sport - it’s not like football where you lose games you win games - you lose a game in boxing then they throw you under the bus.

“Anthony will tell you himself it’s a very dark place when you get beat, and it doesn’t make it easier when with your friends only a handful of people stay with you.”