Inspired by Connor Benn’s positive Covid test. Leigh Wood now fights for the WBA world title against Xu Can in what could be a life changing fight for him. Steve Robinson springs to mind for me, off the back of a loss and with a record of 13-9-1 Robinson is offered the chance to fight John Davison for the vacant WBO World featherweight title at 2 weeks notice. He won a SD and goes on to defend the title 7 times before eventually losing to Prince Naseem Hamed 2 and a half years later. There must be some brilliant examples of this, so let’s have them.
Even though he lost, Azumah Nelson fought Salvador Sanchez after only 13 fights as a late substitute and gave an unexpectedly great showing. It gave everyone a first glimpse of a future great and immediately raised his profile.
I was just gonna say this. Hypothetically, do you think Sal would beat Nelson easier the next go round?
That's so hard to say for two reasons: 1. Sanchez didn't have a clear record in rematches. The only one I can think of is Danny Lopez and he fought so brilliantly in the first fight that his performance in the second fight was only very good in comparison. 2. Nelson would go on to show that he was brilliant in rematches. His track record in them for most of his career was superb. Had Sal lived and stayed at the same level for another couple of years, a rematch would likely have been 12 rounds which I think would favour Nelson. But Sal would be prepared for who he was facing and Nelson wouldn't have the same element of surprise. I don't know. I honestly don't know.
Fred Pendleton was chosen to face IBF champion Jimmy Paul in a non title fight on ESPN. Despite a .500 record Freddie gave Paul all he could handle before losing a close decision. He gained notice and went on to have a good career.
Stevie Cruz got a couple of good pay days after coming in late to relieve McGuigan of his World title. Then unbeaten Nicky Piper agreed to a same day substitute in a catchweight contest; his opponent coming off three defeats in four fights was The Cat Carl Thompson.
Pinklon Thomas, which is little known/remembered. Witherspoon pulled out of a match with James Tillis very late. Thomas had been training for a fight with a trailhorse and was to fight the same weekend. He (and George Benton) took Tillis on two days notice. He caused a huge upset when he beat him quite impressively. I'd have to find the mag but i do remember Tillis had been relaxing a bit as soon as the fight was called off then BOOM it was back on. It gave Thomas a HUGE boost and the chance of fighting other contenders like Coetzee. Life changing.
I don’t know if it was life changing, but Douglas substituting for Berbick and beating Tex Cobb gave him a push in the right direction towards contender status