When the "worse" fighter wins

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Philly161, Dec 9, 2021.


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  1. Philly161

    Philly161 "Fundamentals are the crutch of the talentless" banned Full Member

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    So I was rewatching Barkley-Hearns 2 and I just can't get over how Iran managed to beat such a superior boxer as Hearns twice.

    The first fight is more understandable, as Iran was getting dominated and lit up until he hit a beautiful shot and Tommy was done.

    The second fight, though... its almost hypnotizing. It feels like Iran was moving so much slower and duller than Tommy, but then with break his timing and hit Tommy with hard shots.

    What are some other examples of fights like this, where the much more basic and unpolished fighter just has the style and tools to beat the "better" man?

    Salido vs Loma comes to mind. And tbf, in both examples the winner was using some dirty tactics.

    I'm not really looking for like Marciano vs Walcott or whoever vs Rahman where some heavyweight was losing a decision and hit with a beautiful one shot ko. Looking for stuff where the guy who is just rated lower in all categories just makes it a dogfight and wins a decision or gets a late stoppage in a fight he was winning.
     
    Philly161, Dec 9, 2021
    Philly161, Dec 9, 2021
    #1
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  2. ChrisJS

    ChrisJS Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Mayorga vs. Forrest is a good modern example. Forrest was a cut above Mayorga but lost twice, once by fast KO, the other on points.
     
    ChrisJS, Dec 9, 2021
    ChrisJS, Dec 9, 2021
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  3. Flo_Raiden

    Flo_Raiden Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Mike Tyson vs Buster Douglas is an obvious one.
     
    Flo_Raiden, Dec 9, 2021
    Flo_Raiden, Dec 9, 2021
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  4. TBooze

    TBooze Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Terry Norris lost to Luis Santana twice!


    Tyson losing to Douglas was a shock, but with hindsight we saw why; but even though he was a fraction of the fighter he was in his prime, I still cannot fathom out the defeat to McBride.
     
    TBooze, Dec 9, 2021
    TBooze, Dec 9, 2021
    #4
  5. janitor

    janitor VIP Member Full Member

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    Turpin beating Robinson must be the most obvious example.
     
    janitor, Dec 9, 2021
    janitor, Dec 9, 2021
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  6. Stiches Yarn

    Stiches Yarn Active Member Full Member

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    Wladimir Klitschko who has been stopped by something like 3 inferior fighters.
     
    Stiches Yarn, Dec 9, 2021
    Stiches Yarn, Dec 9, 2021
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  7. Devon

    Devon Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Aaron Pryor losing to Bobby Joe Young
    Ali losing to Norton
     
    Devon, Dec 9, 2021
    Devon, Dec 9, 2021
    #7
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  8. Pepsi Dioxide

    Pepsi Dioxide Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Steve Little over Michael Nunn. Nunn was the WBA super middle champion (before there were WBA "super" titles) making his 5th defense of his title and was 42-1 with his only loss in a dramatic come from behind KO courtesy of James Toney. Little was a pedestrian 21-13-2 5 KOs and won a 12 round decision.
     
    Pepsi Dioxide, Dec 9, 2021
    Pepsi Dioxide, Dec 9, 2021
    #8
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  9. Dubblechin

    Dubblechin Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Very memorable night.
     
    Dubblechin, Dec 9, 2021
    Dubblechin, Dec 9, 2021
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  10. HolDat

    HolDat Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Turpin's athleticism and unconventional style did the trick.
     
    HolDat, Dec 9, 2021
    HolDat, Dec 9, 2021
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  11. janitor

    janitor VIP Member Full Member

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    I think that it was more a smart fight plan to be honest.
     
    janitor, Dec 9, 2021
    janitor, Dec 9, 2021
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  12. Titan1

    Titan1 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Pryor was lucky Young never truly developed.
     
    Titan1, Dec 9, 2021
    Titan1, Dec 9, 2021
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  13. Devon

    Devon Boxing Addict Full Member

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    You’re right, with him having no choice, but be Young his whole life he was never gonna fully develop ;)
     
    Devon, Dec 10, 2021
    Devon, Dec 10, 2021
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  14. IntentionalButt

    IntentionalButt Guy wants to name his çock 'macho' that's ok by me

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    This'll no doubt be controversial, but - Wlad versus both Fury and Joshua?

    Or are we to exclude cases where the "better" fighter is simply well past their prime? (since that opens up the doors quite a bit)
     
    IntentionalButt, Dec 10, 2021
    IntentionalButt, Dec 10, 2021
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  15. JohnThomas1

    JohnThomas1 VIP Member

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    To be fair Young was actually the better fighter at that stage. Pryor hadn't fought for 2 1/2 years because of drug abuse. Apparently he was fully addicted to crack by the end of 83 and barely fighting. He was a shell by the time he fought Bobby.
     
    JohnThomas1, Dec 10, 2021
    JohnThomas1, Dec 10, 2021
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