When Champions Upset Their Challengers

Joey Maxim over Irish Bob Murphy- Murphy 12-5 favorite

 

Jimmy Carter was the underdog against George Araujo.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcUpTr3aPbY

 

Not sure, but i think sasakul was favourite over Arbachakov for their first fight.

 

Carter is my # 2 lightweight of all time for good reason. That was one hell of a performance over Araujo. Araujo is a tremendously talented fighter on film, who can punch too. Araujo was in the prime of his career of a huge streak with wins over Sandy Saddler, Paddy Demarco, Del Flanagan, and a one punch knockout win over Joe Old Bones Brown...entering the fight at 49-2 record # 1 contender status! Ike Williams gave him such a bad loss, Araujo was never the same fighter again...he ruined Araujo and he drifted away from the world class scene afterward.

 

Araugo has great footwork, fantastic left jab, unbelievable right hand lead, and powerful left hook, very sharp 1-2, terrific handspeed, ...nice high gaurd defense and solid head movement. But Ike Williams is truelly unbelievable, one of the 5 greatest all around punchers of all time IMO, one of the best jabs ever, one of the best finishers ever, and watch how Ike kept his gloves nice and high protecting his chin unlike many old timers pre 1940

 

Carlos Baldomir was the underdog against Arturo Gatti.

Pernell Whitaker was the underdog defending his title in his "draw" with Julio Cesar Chavez.

 

Battling Battalino was about an 8-5 underdog against Kid Chocolate and then a 2-1 underdog against Fidel LaBarba.

Tony Canzoneri was about a 7-5 (I believe) underdog in his second fight with Kid Berg, though some would say that was more of a unification fight (there was some dispute over whether Berg's jr. welter title was on the line, or even if the jr. welter title was a real title to begin with).

 

delete

 

Murphy was very heavily hyped at that time, and Maxim was not yet thought of as a great champion by some people, and was viewed by some as "ducking" his top contenders.

 

Who was favored in Sanchez vs Gomez?

 

The Odds must have been well in favour for Riddick Bowe on the night Holyfield got the better of him.

 

I'm almost certain Gomez was.

Likewise, I'm almost certain Zarate had been the favorite over Gomez.

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Glen Johnson was a humongous underdog against Roy Jones. That's probably one of the best examples of all (although Johnson was just considered an ABC titlist at the time).

Azumah Nelson was a big underdog for the rematch with Fenech.

I believe Ali was actually a slight underdog in the rematch with Liston. Not sure about that one, the odds shifted back and forth I believe.


Does anyone remember what were the odds for Hagler-Hearns? I know they were very close.