World Boxing News Presents Unforgettable Moments in Boxing’s History, Featuring Mike Tyson, Sonny Liston, and More
World Boxing News proudly presents a collection of the most remarkable moments in the rich history of boxing, highlighting extraordinary performances by legends such as Mike Tyson and Sonny Liston.
Among the notable victories, we cannot overlook the iconic triumphs of Roberto Duran and Muhammad Ali in their early careers, which left an indelible mark on the sport.
It’s no secret that pugilism has garnered a reputation as one of the most captivating sports worldwide, captivating audiences with its thrilling displays of skill and courage.
Within the realm of boxing, what sets it apart is the element of surprise, as unexpected upsets frequently occur across various weight divisions, captivating fans year after year.
Here, we present some of our most cherished underdog victories, etched into the memories of those who witnessed them firsthand. Whether you were a neutral observer or had placed a significant wager on the underdog, these moments remain unforgettable.
1990: James Buster Douglas Shocks the Boxing World by Defeating Mike Tyson
One of the most astonishing upsets in boxing history occurred in 1990 when James Buster Douglas, against all expectations, emerged victorious in a match that was initially considered less significant.
At the start of 1990, Mike Tyson had an impressive record of 37 fights, with none lasting longer than six rounds. His unparalleled knockout ability had astounded the boxing community, and he had never experienced a knockdown before.
Scheduled to face Buster Douglas, a fighter with a record of 29-4-1, the match was intended to be a warm-up for a later bout with Evander Holyfield, anticipated to be the main event of the year.
However, fate had other plans.
Despite Tyson managing to knock down Buster Douglas in the eighth round and keeping him down for more than the referee’s count, the resilient underdog, who was considered a staggering 42:1 longshot, refused to surrender.
In the ninth round, a combination of punches from Buster Douglas caught a visibly fatigued Tyson off guard, resulting in the champion hitting the canvas for the first time. The news of ‘The Baddest Man on the Planet’ falling spread shockwaves throughout the world.
1983: Roberto Duran Defies Expectations and Triumphs Over Davey Moore
Roberto Duran, known for his remarkable career as a fighter, participated in a total of 119 professional bouts. However, one of his most unforgettable encounters was with Davey Moore, who had successfully defended his WBA Light Middleweight title on three previous occasions.
Interestingly, despite being in front of a hometown New York crowd, Moore faced some jeering from the audience, while the Panamanian Duran received cheers as they both stepped into the ring.
This early response set the stage for the remainder of the fight, as Duran, nicknamed “Stone Hands,” subjected Moore to a severe beating. The bout was eventually halted, with Moore still standing at the end of the eighth round.
Prior to the fight, the majority of boxing experts had predicted a victory for the much younger Moore, underestimating Duran, who had turned 32 on that very day. However, as Duran lifted another title belt, he was serenaded by the New York crowd with a heartfelt rendition of “Happy Birthday,” symbolizing his triumphant return to the top.
2004: Antonio Tarver Stuns Roy Jones Jr. in a Thrilling Battle
Following his victory over John Ruiz in 2003 to secure the WBA Heavyweight Championship, Roy Jones Jr.’s light heavyweight titles became vacant and were subsequently claimed by Antonio Tarver.
Eager to reclaim his position of prominence, Jones faced Tarver for the first time in 2003. In a closely contested match, Tarver emerged victorious by decision.
However, it is worth noting that Jones had undergone a significant weight loss, shedding 24 pounds within a short period to prepare for the fight. As a result, he entered the ring with less than optimal strength.
A rematch was scheduled, driven by Jones’ desire for redemption. Both boxing enthusiasts and betting enthusiasts were taken aback when Tarver landed a powerful left-hand shot on Jones in the second round, delivering the first knockout defeat of Jones’ career.
Encounters like these epitomize the excitement of boxing! Fans are captivated by the unpredictable nature of the sport, where the underdog can either suffer a knockout or produce a stunning victory against their opponent.
1994: George Foreman’s Inspiring Triumph over Michael Moorer
Despite being known as one of the fiercest competitors of his era, few believed George Foreman could tap into his former boxing prowess after a decade-long hiatus from the sport.
However, the accomplished fighter and entrepreneur embarked on an incredible unbeaten streak of 24 matches, earning himself a shot at the WBA, IBF, and Lineal Titles against Michael Moorer.
Moorer had made history as the first southpaw to claim the heavyweight championship, defeating Evander Holyfield in a thrilling 12-round bout just seven months prior.
Despite being nearly two decades older, Foreman was seen as the underdog, with the majority of the crowd favoring Moorer.
Most experts predicted that if the fight went the distance, it would favor Moorer. However, the unexpected unfolded.
A powerful combination in the 10th round sent Moorer to the canvas, securing Foreman’s place as the oldest heavyweight champion in history.
1964: Muhammad Ali’s Remarkable Victory over Sonny Liston
Both encounters between Ali and Liston were highly anticipated and remain among the most captivating moments in sports history.
The first bout, in particular, was unforgettable as it showcased the remarkable transformation of a confident 22-year-old into an iconic figure in boxing.
For Liston, it marked the decline of a once formidable knockout artist.
Muhammad Ali had already achieved success, winning a gold medal as a light heavyweight at the 1960 Olympic Games. However, the media, skeptical of his flamboyant demeanor, disregarded his chances.
As a 7:1 underdog, Ali astounded the world by overwhelming Liston to the point where he couldn’t continue after the 6th round.
This monumental triumph crowned Ali as the new heavyweight champion of the world, setting the stage for his legendary career. We all know how that unfolded.
Those who came after would face a formidable challenge to surpass the astonishing Buster Douglas knockout of Mike Tyson.
News
Kanye West’s wife Bianca Censori responds to lawsuit claiming she sent porn to Yeezy staff, including minors
Kanye West‘s wife Bianca Censori has denied claims she sent porn to Yeezy staff, including minors. A federal lawsuit filed in California claimed that Censori, 29, sent an employee a link to ‘hardcore’ sexual content after her husband announced the launch of his adult film business,…
Franck Bruno says the ‘best fighter’ he faced is Mike Tyson: ”Mike Tyson had it all, the hunger to win the belts, to fight, to move and determination to take anybody down that crossed him at his peak. He knew the quicker he could get rid of his opponent the less chance he would get caught and he was determined to get rid of his opponents quickly.”
Former heavyweight world champion and British fan-favourite, Frank Bruno, revealed the best fighter that he has ever stepped into the ring with after a forty-five fight career that spanned over fourteen years. Bruno was recognised as one of the division’s…
Iron Mike’s Secret: The Fear That Lurked Behind Boxing’s Most Intimidating Entrance
Mike Tyson is an enigma is every sense of the word. The guy once known as The Baddest Man on the Planet shot to fame after becoming the youngest ever heavyweight champion in history at just 20 years old. With…
Mike Tyson’s five most incredible knockouts revealed including destroying undefeated Michael Spinks in 91 second blitz
MIKE TYSON was so dangerous in the ring that even he is scared of the man he used to be. The American, 54, dominated the world of boxing after he was crowned the youngest heavyweight world champion in 1986, aged…
George Foreman reveals why he never fought Mike Tyson and wanted nothing to do with the ‘monster’ boxer
GEORGE FOREMAN branded Mike Tyson a “monster” as he revealed why he did not want to step into the ring with his rival. The two-time heavyweight champion was tipped to fight the Baddest Man on the Planet when he made…
Mike Tyson believes a normal person can take his punches if they ‘don’t fear death’ and says he was a ‘nervous’ fighter
BOXING legend Mike Tyson has revealed how a “normal person” could take one of his punches if they had no fear of death. Iron Mike was considered one of the most brutal and hardest hitters in the sport after being…
End of content
No more pages to load