Which fighters came into fights as underdog's, but beat the odds, sometimes several times? At heavyweight I'd say Holyfield maybe is the king, With Ali in the mix easily.
Michael Watson against Nigel Benn back in 1989. Benn was expected to knock out Watson as if it was a formality.
Watched that fight mate. Didn't know a lot about Watson at the time and expected Benn to clobber him. But I think Benn needed that Spanking to grow as a fighter.
Steve Robinson comes to mind. Beat Colin McMillan as the underdog. Also again against Duke McKenzie. Pretty sure the guy he beat for the WBO was also the favourite.
It has to be Marciano. I can think of at least three fights where I would have bet on the other guy to win and would have lost my pants. Maybe four if we include LaStarza who was a fine boxer too.
Joe Calzaghe was supposed to be fodder for Jeff Lacy and I think close to even money against Hopkins.
Everyone kept telling Hopkins he was too old and should retire. The man was a legit world champion when he lost to Kovalev at 49 years, 297 days old.
One of my favourite fights Fergy he certainly showed he was 'The Force' and left a lot of the boxing public incredulous.
Steve Robinson got the call at late notice whole eating fish and chips if I remember rightly? when he got asked to step up for the WBO Featherweight Title.
For me, Azumah Nelson. When I met him, just before his fight with Gabe Ruelas, I told him that i always picked him to lose but he always proved me wrong, and that I had a lot of respect for his ability. He thanked me and said that he hoped some day to make me a fan. We shook hands and i was struck by how small his hands were. Here's a tip for you. Most fighters don't like to shake hands. The last thing they need is for some guy with a macho grip to squeeze their hand and roll the knuckles. A very light hand shake or, even better, a fist bump.
Bernard Hopkins was a 2 to 1 underdog when he beat Felix Trinidad, then a 3 to 1 underdog when he beat Antonio Tarver. He was around a 3 to 1 underdog again when he beat Kelly Pavlik.