SPORTS digest

Ruiz stuns Joshua for heavyweight crown

NEW YORK

Andy Ruiz Jr. could have passed for any New Yorker, just a roly-poly guy in a too-tight Knicks jersey and sideways baseball cap weaving his way through a crowded sidewalk on his way back to the hotel. But those people were there cheering for Ruiz, outstretched arms for selfies, pats on the back, asking for autographs and a few fans yelling “Mexican pride!”

Maybe the boxing world didn’t know much about Ruiz before he was nearly booed out of Madison Square Garden on Saturday as he stepped into the ring against undefeated champion Anthony Joshua.

But they learned a whole lot more after he stepped out a champion, posing for pictures with the WBA/IBF/WBO/IBO championship title belts draped over his arms — an appropriate number, one for each time he flattened Joshua at the Garden.

“It’s an upset, isn’t it?” Joshua said. “The bookies said I was a favorite. One shot on top of the dome kind of rattled me a bit. But the better man won. ”

Ruiz, the first fighter of Mexican descent to win a heavyweight title, stirred memories of Buster Douglas and other heavyweight shockers when the massive underdog knocked down Joshua twice in the third round and two more times in the decisive seventh to stake his claim to shares of the heavyweight crown.

Correction

COLUMBUS

In Sunday’s edition, incorrect places were given in two events in the state track roundup. In Division II, Poland’s girls 4x200 relay team of Gabby Romano, Ava Izenour, Chloe Kosco and Mia Musolino took eighth place not ninth due to the disqualification of Streetsboro’s relay team. Kosco competed and placed eighth in the long jump finals.

Dixon captures Detroit Grand Prix

DETROIT

Scott Dixon has had a lot of memorable days as a five-time IndyCar season champion.

There’s a good chance, though, it will be easy for him to remember what happened Sunday.

Dixon won the Detroit Grand Prix, his first victory of the year and 45th of his career, just hours after being honored by Queen Elizabeth II.

“Yeah, huge day,” he said. “Definitely one I won’t forget.”

The Chip Ganassi Racing driver from New Zealand finished nearly 2 seconds in front of rookie Marcus Ericsson, who had his best finish on the IndyCar series. Will Power was third followed by, Ryan Hunter-Reay and Alexander Rossi.

Power’s performance was impressive because his car stalled on lap four.

“Feels like a win,” he said.

Dixon bounced back after failing to finish a race for the first time in two years on Saturday, hitting a wall after just 23 laps.

“I felt like a bit of an idiot yesterday,” he said. “Today was all about redemption.”

Lee6 holds off Boutier for U.S. Open title

CHARLESTON, S.C.

Jeongeun Lee6 is No. 1 at the U.S. Women’s Open.

The 23-year-old South Korean shot a 1-under 70 on Sunday, enduring some shaky moments after opening up a three-stroke lead with three to play to hold off third-round co-leader Celine Boutier.

Lee6 was ahead by three after a birdie on the par-5 15th, but took bogeys on the 16th and 18th to give Boutier a chance over the final two holes. But Boutier missed a long birdie attempt on the 17th and put her approach to the par-4 18th in a bunker. Her sand shot rolled off the green.

Lee6, playing two groups ahead of Boutier, was practicing putts when the Frenchwoman could not make the sand shot. Lee6 bent down in joy when her victory was secure, countrywoman and 2011 U.S. Women’s Open winner So Yeon Ryu coming over to embrace the new champion.

Lee6 finished at, naturally, 6-under 278 to claim the USGA’s first $1 million women’s winner check.

Lee6 has the number in her name because she was the sixth player with the name on the Korean LPGA.

Staff/wire report