5 Boxing Underdogs That Triumphed
Dominant champions gain public attention before and during the fight. But underdogs take a special place in sports. Their unexpected victories win over millions of hearts worldwide. Fans like seeing underdogs knocking off established champions, making their dreams come true.
Those who choose betting odds on underdogs can make a fortune. Of course, the element of luck shouldn’t be excluded. The history knows many cases when underdogs surprised the audience with unexpected wins. You can witness one of them. Before you do, check the sport’s most unforgettable underdog moments below.
1. Buster Douglas Knocks Out Mike Tyson (1990)
When Mike Tyson stepped into the ring on February 11, 1990, he was considered invincible. A 37–0 record, 33 knockouts, and an aura of destruction surrounded the heavyweight champion. James “Buster” Douglas was expected to last only a few rounds. But it turned out to be one of the greatest shocks in sports history.
Douglas fought with sharpness, determination, and heart, consistently landing clean shots. Tyson dropped Douglas in the eighth round, yet Douglas rose just before the count ended. Two rounds later, Douglas sent Tyson to the canvas for the first knockout defeat of his career. The outcome left the audience in shock, while the fight immediately gained a legendary status.
2. Antonio Tarver Ends Roy Jones Jr.’s Dominance (2004)
Roy Jones Jr. ruled the boxing world for years. His speed and confidence in the ring allowed him to win multiple titles. He moved to heavyweight to win the WBA title and then returned to light heavyweight to reclaim his belts. Meanwhile, Antonio Tarver was viewed as a talented fighter. But his skills weren’t enough to dethrone the king.
Antonio Tarver lost the first fight against Jones Jr. The controversial outcome made a rematch inevitable. During the second match, Tarver took extra effort to stand out. When Jones Jr. lunged with an overhand right, Tarver used a perfectly timed left hook. Jones simply couldn’t continue the match. And that’s how Tarver reclaimed the light heavyweight championship. He became the first fighter to handle Jones Jr. It remains one of the best turnarounds in boxing.
3. Hasim Rahman Stuns Lennox Lewis (2001)
Lennox Lewis entered the battle against Hasim Rahman as the undisputed heavyweight champion. Most fans saw it as a simple win for Lewis. But boxing is full of surprises, similar to any other kind of sport. Underestimating the rival is the common mistake committed by champions. That time Lewis got into a trap.
Hasim Rahman was considered a talented rival, but with little chance of winning. Lewis himself seemed to overlook the threat, balancing training with time spent filming Ocean’s Eleven. But Rahman arrived fully focused on the victory. In the fifth round, he caught the right moment by landing a perfectly timed overhand right that sent Lewis crashing to the canvas. The champion couldn’t beat the count, and Rahman walked away with one of the most shocking knockout victories in heavyweight history.
4. Leon Spinks Beats Muhammad Ali (1978)
Leon Spinks had only seven professional fights when he was signed to face Muhammad Ali. An Olympic gold medalist, Spinks had huge potential. But did he have enough talent and skills to handle the greatest heavyweight ever? The answer was obvious to everyone. Spinks was sure that he could cause serious trouble for Ali. And his determination turned out to be right. It took him 15 rounds to outwork Ali, using his relentless energy and quick hands.
Spinks controlled much of the fight. After 15 rounds, he won a split decision, becoming heavyweight champion in his eighth professional fight. The victory remains one of the fastest rises to a title in boxing history. Though Ali later avenged the loss, Spinks’ triumph became part of history.
5. Andy Ruiz Jr. Shocks Anthony Joshua (2019)
When Anthony Joshua made his US debut, he expected a great performance. Andy Ruiz Jr. was treated as a walkover opponent. His technique promised a great performance on the ring, but without causing real trouble to Joshua. Ruiz responded with a furious barrage, knocking Joshua down twice in the same round. By the seventh round, Ruiz forced a stoppage and claimed the WBA, IBF, and WBO titles.
The boxing world erupted in disbelief. Ruiz became the first Mexican heavyweight champion. His victory proved that appearances mean nothing once the bell rings.
Underdogs make boxing more exciting, especially when they deliver solid punches or even become winners. They remind us that strong determination can deliver amazing results. Reputations collapse and miracles happen all the time. These five fights shook the world not just because favorites fell, but because belief triumphed over expectation. Boxing’s greatest stories aren’t always written by champions.
