Has a fighter ever lost the 'formality' rematch or career defining win?

[Andre]

As far as many Australians were concerned Jeff Fenech got ripped off against Azumha Nelson 1. Turned out Azumah had lost his misses the week before the fight and had the flu when he fought but was given a bit of gift anyway and Jeff lost his zero.
(day time outdoor match from memory).

When Azumah came out here for the rematch Jeff wasnt in the fight at all.

Alot of Aussies lost alot of cash that day, I was not one of them.

Jeff was great against all of his smaller opponents, but thats where his game ended.

[Kev]

Mosley's defeat to Vernon Forrest. Shane looked unbeatable prior to this.

If you're talking about formality fights where someone played spoiler, then Jimmy Young, Carlos Baldomir & Zahir Raheem have all done this to George Foreman, Zab Judah & Erik Morales respectively.

Kind of but only when they did it twice, I guess Forrest could count against Shane, but I'm not sure he was that big an underdog in the second fight at least.

A hypothetical example might be Lennox Lewis losing to Rahman again in the rematch, or Wlad being knocked out again by Lamon Brewster.

Pavlik Hopkins is a good example of the unbeaten heir elect losing to the supposedly retirement bound former champ.

[ICB]

Mosley's defeat to Vernon Forrest. Shane looked unbeatable prior to this.

If you're talking about formality fights where someone played spoiler, then Jimmy Young, Carlos Baldomir & Zahir Raheem have all done this to George Foreman, Zab Judah & Erik Morales respectively.

Kind of but only when they did it twice, I guess Forrest could count against Shane, but I'm not sure he was that big an underdog in the second fight at least.

A hypothetical example might be Lennox Lewis losing to Rahman again in the rematch, or Wlad being knocked out again by Lamon Brewster.

Pavlik Hopkins is a good example of the unbeaten heir elect losing to the supposedly retirement bound former champ.

Michael Spinks vs Larry Holmes, im pretty sure Michael Spinks was the underdog in both fights.

Or how about Iran Barkley vs Tommy Hearns ?

[Kev]

Mosley's defeat to Vernon Forrest. Shane looked unbeatable prior to this.

If you're talking about formality fights where someone played spoiler, then Jimmy Young, Carlos Baldomir & Zahir Raheem have all done this to George Foreman, Zab Judah & Erik Morales respectively.

Kind of but only when they did it twice, I guess Forrest could count against Shane, but I'm not sure he was that big an underdog in the second fight at least.

A hypothetical example might be Lennox Lewis losing to Rahman again in the rematch, or Wlad being knocked out again by Lamon Brewster.

Pavlik Hopkins is a good example of the unbeaten heir elect losing to the supposedly retirement bound former champ.

Michael Spinks vs Larry Holmes, im pretty sure Michael Spinks was the underdog in both fights.

Or how about Iran Barkley vs Tommy Hearns ?

Yeah good calls Ice.