Thread: Fighters who were on their way to winning despite being behind on points

Topic idea came from a comment posted in the Ward/Kovalev fight thread:

"I think people get so caught up in the scoring of a fight that they miss what's happening to the fighters in the fight. You can win rounds and take the worst of it"

Fighters who may be trailing or neck and neck on the scorecards. However, they are applying enough damage to where it's almost obvious that he will eventually win the fight as it progresses.


Oscar De La Hoya/Fernando Vargas. They practically trading rounds during the first 7-8 rounds of that fight, however Oscar was methodically wearing Vargas down during each and every round which lead to a stoppage. One of his finest performances.

A recent one Spence v Brook, Spence put the early work in the body whilst Brook was taking the rounds, Brook was fading fast before his eye fucked up on him

Ali vs. Foreman

Originally Posted by J_Undisputed

Ali vs. Foreman

I think Ali was ahead in that fight.

Benn v G Man comes to mind, the fact that Nigel was down and out of the ring in the first few seconds, knocked down in the 8th? But still kept coming and slowly eroding the will of his opponent where you knew he was going to win.

Tyson v Holyfield was similar, Mike put a lot of work in the first 5 rounds and after that he was getting a beating.

The winner has to be Chavez Taylor. Taylor so fast, you need a second or third look to see Chavez breaking him up bit by bit despite losing rounds.

A few that come to mind for me:

1. Foreman vs Michael Moorer
2. Wladimir vs Lamont Brewster 1
3. James Toney vs Michael Nunn
4. Cotto vs Margarito
5. Kennedy McKinney vs Barrera
6. Pavilik/Froch vs Jermain Taylor

Chavez vs Taylor was a great example and the one I immediately thought of.

Junior Jones v John Michael Johnson comes to mind. Took a shelling early but gradually broke the body and stamina in that heat. All the while Foreman was the only one making sense calling it saying Jones was breaking down . Much shorter version and I thought of Mercer v Morrison. I have a whole new appreciation for that subtle boxing by Mercer. Morrison was absolutely teeing off first few rounds with shots that drop most but all the while Mercer would jab him, position and chug in waiting for moment. Michael Nunn and Toney also. That was far from a miracle bomb, Toney was investing early on and wiped the smirk off his face.

Originally Posted by mikeeod

A few that come to mind for me:

1. Foreman vs Michael Moorer
2. Wladimir vs Lamont Brewster 1
3. James Toney vs Michael Nunn
4. Cotto vs Margarito
5. Kennedy McKinney vs Barrera
6. Pavilik/Froch vs Jermain Taylor

Chavez vs Taylor was a great example and the one I immediately thought of.

Top notch there. Foreman was doing damage and clipped him with 1-2s prior. Literally tuned him for the finish and Teddy knew it was coming.

SRL vs Hearns I(kills me to say)

Hearns was winning the fight while just trying to see the final bell.

Originally Posted by Spicoli

Originally Posted by mikeeod

A few that come to mind for me:

1. Foreman vs Michael Moorer
2. Wladimir vs Lamont Brewster 1
3. James Toney vs Michael Nunn
4. Cotto vs Margarito
5. Kennedy McKinney vs Barrera
6. Pavilik/Froch vs Jermain Taylor

Chavez vs Taylor was a great example and the one I immediately thought of.

Top notch there. Foreman was doing damage and clipped him with 1-2s prior. Literally tuned him for the finish and Teddy knew it was coming.

Teddy was just being Teddy.

Moorer was boxing the ears off Big George. I did not see that coming until the start of that round.

Jack v Degale?

I thought Degale deserved his lead but was getting a beating

in the end a draw was probably right but I think Degale would have been happier

I think that over the last 15-20 years we have seen more boxer-puncher and boxers. Less brawler types whose purpose was to wear you out. Partially due to the changes that came after 15 rounders were eliminated, partially due to seeing the success of boxer and boxer-punchers. I think the OPs question would have 100 answers quickly 20 years ago. But it is harder today. I assume Mickey Ward has some fights he was losing rounds but breaking the opponent down. But I can't recall them.

Originally Posted by Ron Swanson

I think that over the last 15-20 years we have seen more boxer-puncher and boxers. Less brawler types whose purpose was to wear you out. Partially due to the changes that came after 15 rounders were eliminated, partially due to seeing the success of boxer and boxer-punchers. I think the OPs question would have 100 answers quickly 20 years ago. But it is harder today. I assume Mickey Ward has some fights he was losing rounds but breaking the opponent down. But I can't recall them.

Mickey Ward had plenty such as Alfonso Sanchez

Originally Posted by Master

Originally Posted by Spicoli

Originally Posted by mikeeod

A few that come to mind for me:

1. Foreman vs Michael Moorer
2. Wladimir vs Lamont Brewster 1
3. James Toney vs Michael Nunn
4. Cotto vs Margarito
5. Kennedy McKinney vs Barrera
6. Pavilik/Froch vs Jermain Taylor

Chavez vs Taylor was a great example and the one I immediately thought of.

Top notch there. Foreman was doing damage and clipped him with 1-2s prior. Literally tuned him for the finish and Teddy knew it was coming.

Teddy was just being Teddy.

Moorer was boxing the ears off Big George. I did not see that coming until the start of that round.

Big George called it weeks before the fight. Lampley talks about it. George said Mike would stand in front of him late and pay the man. Exactly what happened. He was touching Moorer throughout the fight, although he was being thoroughly outboxed. I won big money on that fight. That one, Hop vs Tito, and Evander vs Tyson. Biggest wins I've had. I'm due for another now that I think about it...!!!

Originally Posted by mikeeod

Originally Posted by Master

Originally Posted by Spicoli

Originally Posted by mikeeod

A few that come to mind for me:

1. Foreman vs Michael Moorer
2. Wladimir vs Lamont Brewster 1
3. James Toney vs Michael Nunn
4. Cotto vs Margarito
5. Kennedy McKinney vs Barrera
6. Pavilik/Froch vs Jermain Taylor

Chavez vs Taylor was a great example and the one I immediately thought of.

Top notch there. Foreman was doing damage and clipped him with 1-2s prior. Literally tuned him for the finish and Teddy knew it was coming.

Teddy was just being Teddy.

Moorer was boxing the ears off Big George. I did not see that coming until the start of that round.

Big George called it weeks before the fight. Lampley talks about it. George said Mike would stand in front of him late and pay the man. Exactly what happened. He was touching Moorer throughout the fight, although he was being thoroughly outboxed. I won big money on that fight. That one, Hop vs Tito, and Evander vs Tyson. Biggest wins I've had. I'm due for another now that I think about it...!!!

Long overdue then as those were many years ago.