What are some of the most famous upsets in boxing history?

[Nina Murphy]

There have been many famous upsets in boxing history. Here are a few examples:

Buster Douglas vs. Mike Tyson (1990) - Douglas, a 42-1 underdog, shocked the world by knocking out the previously undefeated Tyson in the 10th round of their fight in Tokyo.

Muhammad Ali vs. George Foreman (1974) - Ali, considered by many to be past his prime, used his "rope-a-dope" strategy to wear down Foreman and knock him out in the eighth round of their fight in Kinshasa, Zaire.

James "Buster" Douglas vs. Evander Holyfield (1990) - In another upset for the ages, Douglas, a 25-1 underdog, defeated Holyfield by knockout to win the heavyweight championship of the world.

Leon Spinks vs. Muhammad Ali (197 - Spinks, a relative unknown with just seven professional fights under his belt, defeated Ali by split decision to win the heavyweight championship of the world.

Joe Louis vs. Max Schmeling (1936) - Schmeling, a German boxer, stunned the world by knocking out Louis in their first fight in 1936. Louis would go on to defeat Schmeling in their rematch in 1938, but the upset in their first fight remains one of the most memorable moments in boxing history.

[Master]

Humberto González was undefeated 30-0 monster at light flyweight in 1990 faced unknown Rolando Pascau.

Gonzales was being lined up for a huge super fight with Michael Carbajal but that went all out of the window when he was stopped by Pascau in 6th round. Huge upset.

[X]

James "Buster" Douglas vs. Evander Holyfield (1990) - In another upset for the ages, Douglas, a 25-1 underdog, defeated Holyfield by knockout to win the heavyweight championship of the world.


​I don’t recall this happening. At least get your facts right!

[TitoFan]

There have been many famous upsets in boxing history. Here are a few examples:

Buster Douglas vs. Mike Tyson (1990) - Douglas, a 42-1 underdog, shocked the world by knocking out the previously undefeated Tyson in the 10th round of their fight in Tokyo.

Muhammad Ali vs. George Foreman (1974) - Ali, considered by many to be past his prime, used his "rope-a-dope" strategy to wear down Foreman and knock him out in the eighth round of their fight in Kinshasa, Zaire.

James "Buster" Douglas vs. Evander Holyfield (1990) - In another upset for the ages, Douglas, a 25-1 underdog, defeated Holyfield by knockout to win the heavyweight championship of the world.

Leon Spinks vs. Muhammad Ali (197 - Spinks, a relative unknown with just seven professional fights under his belt, defeated Ali by split decision to win the heavyweight championship of the world.

Joe Louis vs. Max Schmeling (1936) - Schmeling, a German boxer, stunned the world by knocking out Louis in their first fight in 1936. Louis would go on to defeat Schmeling in their rematch in 1938, but the upset in their first fight remains one of the most memorable moments in boxing history.

What X meant was... "Welcome to the forum."

But yeah... it was actually Holyfield who devastatingly knocked out Douglas in the third round of their fight in 1990. Don't know whether you transposed something... or just misread it.

In retrospect, that loss coming immediately after his upset of Mike Tyson just made Douglas' victory over Tyson even more of an upset.

[Primo Carnera]

Lloyd Honeyghan v Don Curry. This is also the finest performance by any British fighter away from the U.K. unlikely to ever be matched.
Honeyghan was given no chance, Curry was p4p #1 . Honeyghan was seen as indisciplined and inconsistent.
But he had the night of his life and totally beat up Curry.
@Ron Swanson would’ve loved it!

[Spicoli]

Had to be Holyfield . First bet I ever won, great 6 pack. Guy at the Movie Gallery store counter thought I was nuts picking Holyfield by ko . Upsets make the boxing world go around.

[Master]

James J Braddock, the Cinderella Man, unexpectedly won the heavyweight title against Max Baer in 1935. Braddock had just beaten 2 contenders and future light heavyweight champion John Lewis so was on a good run of wins before he face the champion.

They even made a film about it.

[X]

There have been many famous upsets in boxing history. Here are a few examples:

Buster Douglas vs. Mike Tyson (1990) - Douglas, a 42-1 underdog, shocked the world by knocking out the previously undefeated Tyson in the 10th round of their fight in Tokyo.

Muhammad Ali vs. George Foreman (1974) - Ali, considered by many to be past his prime, used his "rope-a-dope" strategy to wear down Foreman and knock him out in the eighth round of their fight in Kinshasa, Zaire.

James "Buster" Douglas vs. Evander Holyfield (1990) - In another upset for the ages, Douglas, a 25-1 underdog, defeated Holyfield by knockout to win the heavyweight championship of the world.

Leon Spinks vs. Muhammad Ali (197 - Spinks, a relative unknown with just seven professional fights under his belt, defeated Ali by split decision to win the heavyweight championship of the world.

Joe Louis vs. Max Schmeling (1936) - Schmeling, a German boxer, stunned the world by knocking out Louis in their first fight in 1936. Louis would go on to defeat Schmeling in their rematch in 1938, but the upset in their first fight remains one of the most memorable moments in boxing history.

What X meant was... "Welcome to the forum."

But yeah... it was actually Holyfield who devastatingly knocked out Douglas in the third round of their fight in 1990. Don't know whether you transposed something... or just misread it.

In retrospect, that loss coming immediately after his upset of Mike Tyson just made Douglas' victory over Tyson even more of an upset.

Yes, apologies Nina. I didn't intend to come across as quite such a twat.

Welcome to the Forum! 👍🏽

[Spicoli]

Personal favorite

[Master]

Not my favourite I wanted Chavez to get to that 100 but Randall boxed brilliantly and knocked down the great man to win the fight. That was the fight where Julio got old and started being a bad loser. They cheated Randall in the second fight.

[Beanz]

Here in the UK Calzaghe's masterclass against Lacy jumps out.

Khan getting sparked by Prescott was a bit of a shock at the time, but Randolph Turpin beating Sugar Ray has to be right up there for famous upsets.

[Syntax Error]

Leotis Martin v Sonny Liston.

Not only did Martin upset the odds, he was the only man to truly spark out Liston with a beautiful short Right which knocked the stuffing out of Sonny, followed by a Left/Right finishing 2 punch combo to take Liston out clean.

It's a real shame for Leotis that he couldn't fight again after this, although in all honesty, peak Frazier would have chewed him up.

[Master]

Ali beating Liston would have been a huge upset at the time.