World Boxing News presents a compilation of the most significant moments in the history of boxing, showcasing remarkable feats such as Mike Tyson’s and Sonny Liston’s achievements. Among these iconic victories are Roberto Duran and Muhammad Ali’s renowned successes during their early careers.

It is widely acknowledged that boxing holds a special place as one of the most captivating sports worldwide. Its allure stems from the thrilling upsets that frequently transpire across various weight divisions, rendering it an unpredictable spectacle.

Highlighted below are several cherished instances of triumphant underdogs, forever etched in the memories of those who witnessed them firsthand. Regardless of whether you placed a substantial wager on the underdog or observed the bouts as a neutral boxing enthusiast, these extraordinary moments remain unforgettable.

1990: James Buster Douglas’s monumental upset over Mike Tyson was a match that was not expected to be significant.

In the early months of 1990, Mike Tyson had only engaged in a single bout throughout his impressive 37-fight career, which had never lasted beyond six rounds.

His exceptional knockout ability had captivated the boxing realm like never before, and he had never experienced a knockdown himself.

Scheduled to face Buster Douglas, a fighter with a record of 29-4-1, the fight was initially intended as a warm-up for a later showdown with Evander Holyfield.

However, fate had other plans.

Despite Tyson knocking down Buster Douglas in the eighth round and seemingly unleashing his full strength upon him in the ninth, the underdog, who stood at remarkable odds of 42:1, refused to succumb.

It was a combination of punches delivered to a visibly fatigued Tyson that led to the champion hitting the canvas for the first time. The news of ‘The Baddest Man on the Planet’ being toppled astonished the entire world.

1983: Roberto Duran’s encounter with Davey Moore stands out as one of the most memorable battles in his illustrious career. With an impressive record of 119 professional fights, Duran’s showdown with Moore, a three-time defending WBA Light Middleweight champion, holds a special place.

Despite being in front of a home New York audience, Moore faced jeers, while the Panamanian Duran was greeted with cheers as they stepped into the ring. This dynamic established the atmosphere for the remainder of the fight.

Duran, affectionately known as “Stone Hands,” delivered such a dominant performance that the bout was halted, even though Moore managed to remain on his feet until the eighth round.

Despite the widespread belief among boxing experts that the much younger Moore would emerge victorious, Duran, who had just turned 32 on that very day, defied expectations. The New York crowd serenaded him with “Happy Birthday” as he once again proudly lifted a title belt.

2004: Antonio Tarver’s victory over Roy Jones Jr. stands as a significant event in their boxing careers. After Jones secured the WBA Heavyweight Championship by defeating John Ruiz in 2003, he had to relinquish his light heavyweight titles, which were subsequently claimed by Tarver.

Eager to reclaim his position at the top, Jones and Tarver faced off for the first time in 2003, resulting in a closely contested bout that Tarver won by decision.

However, it’s worth noting that Jones had undergone a rapid weight loss of 24 pounds to prepare for that fight, which undoubtedly affected his performance and overall strength.

A rematch was deemed necessary, as Jones, a boxer honored as Fighter of the Decade for the 1990s, sought redemption.

In a moment that surprised not only Jones but also the viewers and bettors, Tarver landed a powerful left-hand shot in the second round, marking the first knockout defeat for Jones.

It is fights like these that truly exemplify the greatness of boxing. Fans cherish the element of unpredictability that the sport offers, as it remains uncertain whether the underdog will succumb to a knockout or deliver a stunning blow to their opponent.

1994: George Foreman’s triumph over Michael Moorer is a testament to his remarkable comeback in the world of boxing, despite his reputation as a formidable fighter. Following a decade-long hiatus from the sport, few believed Foreman could tap into his past boxing prowess.

However, this star fighter and entrepreneur defied expectations, embarking on an unbeaten streak of 24 matches, which ultimately granted him the opportunity to challenge Michael Moorer for the WBA, IBF, and Lineal Titles.

Moorer had previously made history as the first southpaw to hold the heavyweight championship, securing the title by defeating Evander Holyfield just seven months prior in a grueling 12-round contest.

Despite being nearly 20 years younger, the majority of predictions favored Moorer, although the crowd rallied behind the underdog, Foreman.

Most anticipated that if the match were to last, Moorer would likely emerge as the victor. However, the unexpected occurred.

A formidable combination in the 10th round sent Moorer crashing to the canvas, thereby crowning Foreman as the oldest heavyweight champion in history.

1964: Muhammad Ali’s triumph over Sonny Liston remains one of the most highly anticipated moments in the history of sports.

The first encounter between Ali and Liston holds a special place in memory. It was a defining moment that witnessed the transformation of a confident and youthful 22-year-old into arguably the most renowned boxer in history.

For Liston, this fight marked the beginning of a decline for the once intimidating knockout artist.

Ali had already achieved gold as a light heavyweight at the 1960 Olympic Games. However, the media largely dismissed his chances, as they were not particularly fond of his spirited and outspoken demeanor.

As a remarkable 7:1 underdog, Ali astounded the world by overpowering Liston to such an extent that the latter couldn’t continue when the 7th round commenced.

This victory propelled Ali to claim the esteemed title of the new heavyweight champion of the world, and we are all familiar with the path that followed.

It is a challenging task for any future bouts to surpass the impact of Buster Douglas’s knockout victory over Mike Tyson, as it remains a remarkable achievement in the history of boxing.