Boxers who handed each other their first losses.

I don't know how often this comes up but I will start with Roy Jones Jr. and Montell Griffin. They took each other's undefeated status in back-to-back fights in 1997.

 

Carl Frampton and Leo Santa Cruz

 

Just thought of another example, Riddick Bowe and Evander Holyfield.

 

Those were both good fights.

 

Brandon Rios and Mike Alvarado

 

Nice one. Their first two fights were really good. Alvarado was having substance issues and the third bout was a bit of a letdown.

 

The third was definitely one of the most underwhelming endings of a rivalry, considering how great the other 2 fights were. To be honest there really was no point of a third fight, both guys were already going on a downward path after the second fight.

 

Tough super lightweight Frankie Warren handed Buddy McGirt his first defeat in 1986. 19 months later McGirt stopped the still undefeated Warren in a world title bout.

 

Napa Kiatwanchai took the 0 and the minimumweight championship belt from Hiroki Ioka. Two fights later Ioka returned the favor.