The courageous losing efforts of Zab Judah and Julio Diaz recently got me thinking.
What are some of the most heroic and unforgettable losing efforts in boxing, ones that made the loser a hero despite not getting the "W".
Here are some of my favorites:
Doug Dewitt vs. Tommy Hearns: This fight really made Dewitt infamous for being such a tough TOUGH son of a bitch. Smiling, taking Tommy's big right hand, coming back with his own shots and asking for more.
Doug Dewitt vs. Nigel Benn: Doug had to know he was up against it in this one too, but he absolutely floored Benn and went to war with him before being stopped.
Robin Reid vs. Jeff Lacy: The reaper man had to contend with being set up as a stepping stone for a hard punching up and comer, as well as the crooked/inept referee. The highlight for me was Reid being beaten and knocked down, his world crashing down around him. He smiled and winked at his corner then got up for more.
Gerry Penalosa vs. JuanMa Lopez: I once watched Penalosa live from ringside score a come from behind body shot KO against Jhonny Gonzalez. His fans in attendance were going nuts celebrating. One extremely jubliant pudgy Filipino, ran up and hugged Penalosa on his way backstage and was shouting that Penalosa was now a world champion in 3 weight classes I believe. Anyway, Lopez beat the living hell out of him, despite Penalosa having some success with the hook. Each round he would come back to his corner, calm, unshaken while Freddie Roach threatened to stop the fight if he didn't do something dramatic. Penalosa was cool as a cucumber and each round would just repeat "Okay Boss, Okay."
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