Boxing is a sport filled with drama and excitement, and its shocking upsets are always remembered. These shocking moments stir up discussions for years, often leaving fans and experts in disbelief. One of the most shocking upsets in boxing history occurred over 40 years ago, and it’s still a subject of conversation today. While many upsets have made their mark, this particular fight is often cited as the most unexpected. Let’s dive into the 10 shocking upsets in boxing have shocked the boxing world.
List of 10 Most Shocking Upsets in Boxing History
| Rank | Fight | Date | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mike Tyson vs Buster Douglas | 11/02/1990 | Douglas KO10 |
| 2 | Lennox Lewis vs Hasim Rahman | 22/04/2001 | Rahman KO5 |
| 3 | Muhammad Ali vs Sonny Liston | 25/02/1964 | Ali RTD6 |
| 4 | Don Curry vs Lloyd Honeyghan | 27/09/1986 | Honeyghan RTD6 |
| 5 | Sugar Ray Robinson vs Randy Turpin | 10/07/1951 | Turpin PTS15 |
| 6 | Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr. | 01/06/2019 | Ruiz TKO7 |
| 7 | Max Schmeling vs Joe Louis | 19/06/1936 | Schmeling KO12 |
| 8 | Marvin Hagler vs Sugar Ray Leonard | 06/04/1987 | Leonard SD12 |
| 9 | George Foreman vs Muhammad Ali | 30/10/1974 | Ali KO8 |
| 10 | Mike Tyson vs Evander Holyfield | 09/11/1996 | Holyfield TKO11 |
1. Mike Tyson vs Buster Douglas (February 11, 1990)
James “Buster” Douglas, a 42-1 underdog, shocked the world with one of the most surprising moments in the sport: his victory over the undefeated Mike Tyson in February 1990. Known for his incredible 89% knockout rate, Tyson was heavily favored to win the heavyweight title. But the fight turned into one of the most memorable shocking upsets in boxing history.
Despite being knocked down by Tyson in the eighth round, Douglas displayed incredible resilience and came back stronger. His dominance in the later rounds was undeniable, and he eventually knocked Tyson out in the 10th round. This shocking upset in boxing marked Tyson’s first career loss, a result no one saw coming.
Tyson’s personal struggles, including issues with relationships and financial troubles, played a significant role in his loss. His preparations for the fight were far from ideal, leading to this stunning upset. The fight, ironically titled “Tyson is Back!”, ended with the champion on the canvas, solidifying its place as one of the greatest shocking upsets in boxing history.
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2. Lennox Lewis vs Hasim Rahman (April 22, 2001)
In April 2001, shocking upsets in boxing occurred when Lennox Lewis, the reigning champion, was defeated unexpectedly by Hasim Rahman, a huge underdog. Rahman, who was a 20-1 underdog, had arrived a month early to acclimatize to the high altitude in South Africa. Meanwhile, Lewis, preparing for a superfight with Mike Tyson, had only arrived 12 days before the fight. Tyson’s suspension led to the fight against Rahman, which ultimately became one of the most shocking upsets in boxing history.
After four rounds, Lewis appeared to be in control, but his complacency allowed Rahman to capitalize. In the fifth round, Rahman landed a stunning right hand that knocked out Lewis, shocking everyone. However, shocking upsets in boxing continued to unfold as Lewis would later avenge this loss by knocking out Rahman in the fourth round later that year.
3. Muhammad Ali vs Sonny Liston (February 25, 1964)
In February 1964, a shocking upset in boxing occurred when Cassius Clay (later known as Muhammad Ali) stepped into the ring as an 8-1 underdog in his first world title fight against the feared champion Sonny Liston. Many believed that Liston, who had knocked out seven of the top 10 contenders, was unbeatable. Despite Clay’s cocky attitude and the fact that he had been knocked down twice before, very few expected him to emerge victorious in this match.
However, the shocking upset in boxing came when Clay forced Liston to retire after six rounds, making him the youngest heavyweight champion at just 22 years old. The world was stunned by this unexpected turn of events. Just 15 months later, Ali would again face Liston, and once again, he shocked the world with a first-round knockout. While some speculated that Liston might have thrown the fight after Ali’s “Phantom Punch,” it remained a moment that defined the legacy of the greatest.
4. Don Curry vs Lloyd Honeyghan (September 27, 1986)
Lloyd Honeyghan’s victory over Don Curry stands as one of the greatest Shocking Upsets in Boxing history. Honeyghan entered the ring with a perfect 27-0 record, while Curry was the undisputed welterweight champion and widely regarded as the best pound-for-pound fighter. Curry, confident in his superiority, dismissed Honeyghan as a threat, even mocking him with the question, “Who is this ragamuffin man?” – a nickname that Honeyghan embraced proudly.
Despite being the underdog in this battle, Honeyghan shocked the boxing world, causing a Shocking Upset in Boxing. He not only outboxed Curry but also inflicted severe damage, breaking Curry’s nose, splitting his lip, and leaving him with a gash that required 20 stitches. Honeyghan’s confidence was evident even outside the ring, as he placed a $5,000 bet on himself, which earned him an additional $30,000 in winnings after his stunning victory.
5. Sugar Ray Robinson vs Randy Turpin (July 10, 1951)
In one of the most shocking upsets in boxing, Sugar Ray Robinson, considered the greatest boxer of all time, faced a surprising defeat. Robinson, the undisputed middleweight champion, was beaten by British fighter Turpin during his European tour. Despite only losing once in 132 bouts to Jake LaMotta, Robinson struggled with Turpin’s awkward style. After 15 rounds, Turpin became the first British boxer in 60 years to win the world middleweight title, creating a shocking upset in boxing history.
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